"My guess after being around this team a little is that Rhamondre Stevenson probably will get the bulk of the carries," NBC Sports' Peter King said after attending Patriots training camp. It's a tepid prediction -- and King reminded us that "you're not gonna have any Patriots RB run it 300 times. That's just not the way Bill Belichick wants to use his personnel in the backfield." But it's still noteworthy considering RB Damien Harris is going a round or 2 ahead of Stevenson in fantasy drafts. We'll be keeping a close eye on this backfield in the preseason.
Pats RB Rhamondre Stevenson has slimmed down to 225 pounds, per insider Doug Kyed. He’s listed at 230 pounds on NFL.com, so it’s not a drastic cut. The move is believed to be because of an increased emphasis on the passing game. Per Kyed, Stevenson said he has a better understanding of 3rd-down concepts entering year 2. With James White’s health a question mark, Stevenson looks like the Pats’ primary receiving back in 2022.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson ran with the 1st-team offense on Wednesday, while RB Damien Harris was with the 2s, according to multiple sources in attendance. It's the 1st day of Patriots training camp, so we're not overreacting or even adjusting projections for the backfield yet. But it's a situation to keep a close eye on through the rest of camp and preseason action.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson said Tuesday that his focus this offseason was "route running and being a third down back." That doesn't necessarily mean that he'll be New England's primary pass-catching back this season. But it's certainly possibly, especially if he's improved in that department after a promising rookie year. Stevenson caught 14 of 18 targets for 123 yards in 2021, ranking 12th among 89 qualifying RBs in yards per route run. The Patriots re-signed RB James White in March, but the 30-year-old coming off hip surgery is a big question mark.
South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong went to the Patriots in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. Strong brings stellar speed for the position (4.37-second 40) in a frame similar to Tony Pollard’s. He racked up three 1,000-yard rushing seasons over 4 years (plus a redshirt campaign) at South Dakota State, averaging 7.2 yards per carry for his career. Strong added decent receiving production, including 42 total receptions over his final 2 years. He led all of FCS in rushing yards and ranked 2nd in rushing TDs. Strong joins a crowded New England backfield alongside Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James White and others – although Strong’s speed is something those other guys can’t match.
Patriots beat writer Khari Thompson writes that the “next step” for RB Rhamondre Stevenson is “getting better as a pass blocker and receiver.” As a 2021 rookie, Stevenson excelled as a rusher, posting 4.6 YPC and excellent broken tackle metrics. But he graded out as a below average pass protector and pass catcher from Pro Football Focus, dropping 1 of 18 targets and fumbling on another. Still, the fact that Stevenson effectively matched Damien Harris in routes per game (7.2) is encouraging. There’s also not a receiving RB currently on the roster, assuming James White, 30, gets to free agency. Look for the 1-2 punch of Harris-Stevenson to continue in 2022.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson has been activated from the COVID list. He should be back as the 1B to Damien Harris' 1A in Sunday's game vs. Jacksonville.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson was placed on the COVID list on Friday and will miss this weekend's game vs. the Bills. RB Damien Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable after a limited week of practice. He could be in for a big workload on Sunday if that hamstring checks out. If not, New England would be down to RBs Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor. We'll gets the Patriots' inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Saturday night's game vs. the Colts. He'd been listed as questionable after a limited week of practice. His absence will leave Rhamondre Stevenson to dominate early-down work. Stevenson will lose passing-down snaps to RB Brandon Bolden but looks like a RB2 with upside.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game vs. the Colts. He put in 3 limited practices this week. As usual, there's been nothing out of New England on Harris' status, but we're tentatively expecting him to play. We'll get New England's inactives around 7 pm ET on Saturday.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (hamstring) put in a limited practice on Tuesday. That seemingly puts him on track to play vs. the Colts on Saturday, but check back tomorrow for another update.
Patriots RBs Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) are active for today’s game vs. the Titans. Both guys were listed as questionable but should be ready for their usual roles. RB J.J. Taylor is a healthy scratch again, which would seem to confirm that the Pats aren't worried about Harris or Stevenson. Look for them to split early-down work, with RB Brandon Bolden handling most of the passing downs.
Patriots RBs Damien Harris (neck) and RB Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) are "looking good to play" vs. the Titans today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Both guys are listed as questionable, but we never sensed any concern about their statuses. Look for Harris and Stevenson to split early-down work today, with RB Brandon Bolden handling most of the passing downs.
Patriots RBs Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) are listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Titans. Harris got in 3 limited practices this week. Stevenson was added to the injury report on Thursday and limited in the final 2 practices of the week. We're expecting both guys to play on Sunday, but check back that morning when we get New England's inactives.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson was added to the injury report with a knee and limited on Thursday. We don't have any other details on his status right now. Check back tomorrow for another update on the rookie.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (concussion) is not listed on the final injury report. He's been cleared to return for Thursday night's game vs. the Falcons. RB Rhamondre Stevenson went off in Harris' absence last week, making this a tough backfield to project for Week 11. Our best guess is that Harris returns to a lead role but cedes more work to Stevenson than he had been. RB Brandon Bolden will continue mixing in on passing downs.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (concussion) is active for today’s game vs. the Browns. J.J. Taylor is also active, joining Stevenson and Brandon Bolden in the backfield. We’re expecting all 3 to be involved today, with Stevenson the best bet for carries and Bolden likely to lead in targets.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (concussion) is expected to play vs. the Browns today. The rookie missed all 3 practices this week, which might impact his role in the game plan today. But we'd still consider him the favorite to lead New England in carries. RB Brandon Bolden might still take on a bigger ball-carrying role and should handle most of the pass-catching work.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (concussion) has a "real shot" to play vs. the Browns today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It sounds like Stevenson will try to get medical clearance this morning. We'll get New England's inactives around 11:30 am ET. With RB Damien Harris (concussion) out, an active Stevenson would be the favorite to lead the Patriots in carries today.
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