Rhamondre Stevenson has served as the Patriots' primary back through eight games, with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries.
Rhamondre Stevenson has served as the Patriots' primary back through eight games, with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots’ ground game has taken another hit, as coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday that running back Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Falcons because of a toe injury.
Stevenson, who was not spotted at practice this week, will miss his first game of the season. The 27-year-old has served as New England’s primary back through eight games, with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries.
Stevenson’s injury comes a little more than three weeks after running back Antonio Gibson was lost for the year with a knee injury sustained in a win over the Bills in Buffalo.
Without Stevenson, the Patriots likely will turn to a combination of Terrell Jennings and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. In six career games dating to 2024, the 6-foot, 217-pound Jennings has rushed for 66 yards on 20 carries, and has worked to impress Vrabel.
“I think one, he’s a great teammate,” Vrabel said. “I’ve seen that he cares about his teammates. Plays hard, unselfish, and he runs hard.
“I think he’s improved. He’s improved his skill set from the time that we’ve gotten here in the spring, and [has taken] advantage of his opportunities.”
Henderson, a 5-10, 202-pound rookie, has 228 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries, as well as 16 catches for 99 yards. That includes 10 carries for 75 yards last week against the Browns.
“One thing that I learned in this league is you never know how things will really go,” Henderson said after Friday’s practice. “My biggest thing is just to control what I can control, and the rest I just leave up to God.”
Veteran D’Ernest Johnson, who was added to the practice squad this week, also could figure into the game plan. The 29-year-old Johnson, who has been with the Browns, Jaguars, Ravens, and Cardinals, is a 5-11, 205-pounder who has played in 96 games and has 215 rushing attempts for 989 yards and three touchdowns, and 63 receptions for 465 yards.
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.