Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to be sidelined for “a few weeks” after tests confirmed a high ankle sprain, as per a source informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The injury occurred during the first quarter of Sunday’s 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, forcing Stevenson to miss the remainder of the game.
With the Patriots (2-10) set to face the Steelers (7-5) on Thursday, veteran Ezekiel Elliott is anticipated to assume Stevenson’s lead role. Expressing his sympathy for his injured teammate, Elliott, who joined the Patriots this season after seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, acknowledged the significant contributions Stevenson made in both the passing and running game this year.
Stevenson, the Patriots’ leading rusher with 619 yards on 156 carries (3.96 average) and the top receiver with 38 catches, will leave a void in the team’s offensive production. In response to Stevenson’s absence, Elliott, who logged a season-high 44 snaps after the injury, is prepared to take on an expanded role, emphasizing that more playing time will enhance his performance.
The Patriots running back depth chart includes eight-year veteran Ty Montgomery, fourth-year player JaMycal Hasty, and 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris on the practice squad. Despite the setback, New England’s running game, a bright spot with Stevenson leading, will need to adapt as they currently rank last in the NFL in points per game (12.3).
Stevenson suffered the high ankle sprain when Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu blitzed and tackled him from behind, employing a technique known as a hip-drop tackle, a method sparking safety concerns across the NFL. The injury resulted in a fumble, subsequently recovered by Tuipulotu. The incident adds to the ongoing discussions about the safety of such tackling techniques in the league.
