New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots have the daunting task of going into Seattle in Week 1 to take on the team that defeated them in the Super Bowl.
The Patriots dropped a 29-13 decision to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, and head coach Mike Vrabel believes the Patriots have improved in the offseason by adding wide receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Those moves should make the New England offense more explosive.
However, the Patriots are not a one-dimensional team and it's important for quarterback Drake Maye to get some support from the running game. The ground game is very important to Maye if the Patriots are going to have a chance to earn the upset in enemy territory.
The Patriots will depend on TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson for their running attack this season, but Henderson is trying to work through an ankle injury.
He did not practice Saturday for the media-access portion of New England's scheduled practice, and that's a real concern. Henderson has not practiced since Aug. 24 and that means that his availability for Wednesday night's season opener could be at risk.
Even if he can play, he is unlikely to be at his best and that could put the bulk of the running back responsibilities on Stevenson's shoulders. Henderson is considered the more explosive of the two running backs. He gained 911 yards last year and had 9 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and he is also a capable receiver.
Stevenson is a solid veteran who gained 603 yards last year and scored 7 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry last season.