The injuries continue to pile up for the New England Patriots, who now are set to be without another key offensive contributor for multiple weeks.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a knee tendon issue that is not expected to require surgery but could sideline him for a short period, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added the injury is to the back of Stevenson’s knee and is expected to keep him out the next few weeks.
Stevenson suffered the injury late in Sunday’s 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers after being brought down following a six-yard reception. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The back has been one of New England’s most dependable players this season, playing 65% of the team’s offensive snaps. Stevenson has totaled 399 yards and two touchdowns on 102 carries while adding 26 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns through the air. His contributions in pass protection have also earned consistent praise from head coach Mike Vrabel and his teammates.
With Stevenson and No. 2 running back TreVeyon Henderson (illness) sidelined, the Patriots are down to Corey Kiner and Lan Larison as their only running backs on the active roster ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Detroit Lions in Germany.
Kiner has seen the biggest workload in Henderson’s recent absence, carrying the ball 50 total times this season for 244 yards and a touchdown.
“I think Corey is working extremely hard. I think Corey has done a really nice job,” Vrabel said Monday. “But there are also some things that Corey has to be able to improve on, just like a lot of guys, as far as recognition of the pressure and then the ability to block the pressure that we saw yesterday, for example.”
The Patriots also have running back Terrell Jennings on the practice squad.