New England Patriots Could Get Key Offensive Pieces Back For Week 12 Game
The New England Patriots’ injury report has been longer than a CVS receipt lately, but it looks like some good news is finally on the horizon. As the team gears up for a Week 12 dance with the Cincinnati Bengals, it seems reinforcements might be on the way for the offense.
After a nice long weekend, the Patriots got back to work on Wednesday, and look who decided to join the party: Running Back Rhamondre Stevenson. The man with the toe injury that has felt like a three-year saga was back on the practice field. He’s missed three straight games, and while the Patriots have rattled off wins in his absence, they need him back. “I just got to go out there and see how I feel. Run around a little bit,” Stevenson said.
How Will the Patriots Backfield Look?
While Stevenson’s been nursing that pesky toe, rookie TreVeyon Henderson has been lighting it up. He has been an absolute spark plug, playing over 80% of the snaps and scoring 5 touchdowns in the last two games alone. He’s been running like his hair is on fire, and it’s been a blast to watch.
Stevenson even gave the rook his flowers. “They’re rolling,” he said. “Specifically, my running back room, [TreVeyon] doing great, so proud of him… Got three more wins with me being down, so I’m excited to get back.”
That’s great team spirit, but now comes the million-dollar question for Coach Mike Vrabel: How do you split the carries? Henderson has been a stud, but he also has a history in college of struggling with a workhorse load. Bringing back a healthy Stevenson to handle the dirty work between the tackles and pass protect sounds like a pretty good idea, especially against a Bengals run defense that couldn’t stop a running faucet, ranking dead last in the league.
What About the Passing Attack?
It’s not just the ground game getting a potential boost. Receiver Kayshon Boutte was also back as a full participant in practice. After a hamstring injury took him out in Week 9, his return couldn’t come at a better time. The Bengals’ pass defense is almost as generous as their run defense, sitting at 30th in the NFL. Having another weapon for Drake Maye to target is just what the doctor ordered.
Tight End Austin Hooper also returned to the field, albeit in a no-contact jersey. He’s still in concussion protocol, but seeing him out there is a step in the right direction.
So, while the official report lists a bunch of guys as “limited,” the feeling in Foxborough is one of cautious optimism. The Patriots have been winning ugly, but getting key players like Stevenson and Boutte back could make them a whole lot prettier to watch down the stretch. We’ll see if they are ready to roll this Sunday in Cincy.
