Rhamondre Stevenson’s much-discussed fumbling problems resurfaced again in a rough spot for the Patriots.
Moments after New England had secured a takeaway after the Bills fumbled the snap, Drake Maye threw a pass to the veteran back for a 7-yard gain. But Shaq Thompson punched it out and Buffalo recovered at their own 38.
The fumble was Stevenson’s third of the season, after losing two in the Week 3 loss to the Steelers. He fumbled six times last year.
After that game, Mike Vrabel said he planned to stick with Stevenson because the Patriots “need him.”
“We know what his capabilities are, and we’ve got to get him back. We need him. We absolutely need him,” Vrabel said. “You see what he was able to do for us last week, his ability to make some plays. We’ll just have to look at the technique and we’ll have to look at the ball security, but we’re going to need him.”
Stevenson said despite Vrabel’s comments, he hadn’t earned that yet.
“I appreciate it. But I have to hold onto the ball to have value and put value on the ball,” Stevenson said. “If I can’t hold the ball, then they don’t need me.”
Antonio Gibson started the next drive after the fumble in Buffalo, but Stevenson returned to the field on a passing down moments later.
NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said he spoke to Vrabel this week about Stevenson’s issues.
“I asked Mike Vrabel about it,” Collinsworth said. “He said it’s not an issue yet, but if it continues, I’ll have to think about it.”
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