New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) reacts in the first quarter in an AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots offense continues to be hit hard with injuries. Wide receiver AJ Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson already missed their 45-27 thrashing against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
And now, the Patriots will have to make do without running back Rhamondre Stevenson as well. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stevenson is expected to miss the next few weeks due to a knee tendon injury, but it will not require surgery.
Stevenson has been the Patriots' leading rusher this season, with 399 yards on 102 carries and two touchdowns. He has also contributed in the passing game, with 258 yards on 26 catches (third on the team) and two receiving scores. He had 78 total yards and a receiving touchdown before getting ruled out against Green Bay.
With both Henderson and Stevenson out, Corey Kiner will be in line to get the start for the Pats at running back in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions in Germany. The second-year back out of Cincinnati has been called into action amid Henderson's sudden medical emergency, and he's acquitted himself well.
After 38 yards on seven carries against the Miami Dolphins, he had 55 yards in the loss to the Packers and scored his first career touchdown. Through nine games this season, Kiner has 244 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per carry.
Kiner has been a nonfactor in the passing game throughout his career, though, so Pats QB Drake Maye will miss having a receiving back like Stevenson against the Lions. With AJ Brown still struggling with his own injury issues, DeMario Douglas has stepped up as Maye's top receiver with 31 catches for 434 yards and four touchdowns. He had a season-high 103 yards against the Packers.