Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo suggested Monday that Stevenson could give way to Antonio Gibson as the team's starting running back in Week 17 against the Chargers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. In his first 13 appearances of the season, Stevenson had received more snaps than Gibson in all but two of those contests, but the playing time tilted in Gibson's favor during Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Bills. Stevenson took the field for 32 of New England's 73 plays on offense, finishing with 60 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to go with a 13-yard reception. However, he lost his third fumble of the season, and he also dropped a backward pass from Drake Maye that was recovered in the end zone by the Bills, although that fumble was charged to the QB. Gibson, meanwhile, paced Patriots running backs with a 59 percent snap share, but he was less effective as a rusher (10 carries for 28 yards) and also fumbled, though he at least recovered it. Even if Mayo follows through and appoints Gibson as the team's starter, Stevenson could still end up being heavily involved in the game plan and seeing the more valuable touches if he keeps his goal-line role. Ball security issues earlier in the season prompted Mayo to hand Gibson a Week 5 start against Miami, but Stevenson still finished with 12 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown to go with four catches in that contest.
Unlock the latest New England Patriots news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Rhamondre Stevenson news
Career History
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo suggested Monday that Stevenson could give way to Antonio Gibson as the team's starting running back in Week 17 against the Chargers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. In his first 13 appearances of the season, Stevenson had received more snaps than Gibson in all but two of those contests, but the playing time tilted in Gibson's favor during Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Bills. Stevenson took the field for 32 of New England's 73 plays on offense, finishing with 60 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to go with a 13-yard reception. However, he lost his third fumble of the season, and he also dropped a backward pass from Drake Maye that was recovered in the end zone by the Bills, although that fumble was charged to the QB. Gibson, meanwhile, paced Patriots running backs with a 59 percent snap share, but he was less effective as a rusher (10 carries for 28 yards) and also fumbled, though he at least recovered it. Even if Mayo follows through and appoints Gibson as the team's starter, Stevenson could still end up being heavily involved in the game plan and seeing the more valuable touches if he keeps his goal-line role. Ball security issues earlier in the season prompted Mayo to hand Gibson a Week 5 start against Miami, but Stevenson still finished with 12 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown to go with four catches in that contest.
Stevenson rushed the ball 12 times for 60 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Bills. He added one reception on one target for 13 yards. Stevenson continued to see his workload decrease thanks to more involvement in the offense for Antonio Gibson. However, he took advantage of his opportunities with the ball, highlighted by a pair of 14-yard rushes -- one of which concluded in a trip to the end zone after he bowled over a Buffalo defender. That marked his first touchdown since Week 9. However, those positives were overshadowed by a miscue early in the fourth quarter on a backward pass that was partially mishandled by Stevenson, which was recovered in the end zone for a Bills touchdown. He didn't record another carry in the game, with Gibson instead accounting for the team's two remaining rushing attempts.
Stevenson ran the ball 13 times for 69 yards and caught his lone target for 16 yards in Sunday's 30-17 loss to Arizona. Stevenson spearheaded the Patriots' rushing attack Sunday, grinding out 85 total yards for fantasy mangers in yet another loss. The Oklahoma product received double-digit carries for sixth time over his last seven appearances while backup Antonio Gibson chipped in seven rushing attempts for 33 yards. Stevenson has quietly posted a decent fantasy campaign (193-740-6) despite being a north-south runner on an 11-loss team. Things won't get any easier for Stevenson and the Patriots as the team heads back to the east coast to face the Bills next Sunday.
Stevenson carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards and caught all three of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Colts. It was a solid performance from Stevenson, but his numbers would have been even better had Antonio Gibson not vultured a red-zone touchdown on an 11-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Stevenson has gone seven straight games without reaching 80 rushing yards in a game, and the Patriots' offensive line woes have limited him to a rough 3.1 yards per carry over that stretch. The team's entire offense will get a breather, and a chance to solve some of its issues, over a Week 14 bye.
Stevenson rushed eight times for 13 yards and failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Patriots' 34-15 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. Stevenson's final line underscores how futile his efforts on the ground were, especially considering he gained nine of his yards on one carry. The thoroughly unproductive afternoon featured a season-low rushing yardage total for Stevenson, who'd cleared 70 rushing yards in each of his previous two games. Game script also limited Stevenson's opportunities to a notable degree, but he should have a solid chance of getting back to a normal workload in a Week 13 home matchup against the Colts.
Stevenson rushed 20 times for 73 yards and caught all four of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams. Stevenson surpassed 70 rushing yards for the second consecutive game and the fifth time in 10 appearances this season. He isn't much of a contributor in the passing game, but Stevenson usually gets hefty workloads on the ground as long as the 3-8 Patriots aren't getting blown out, as this was the fifth time he recorded at least 20 rushing attempts in a game this season. Stevenson should remain heavily involved in Week 12 against a Dolphins defense that's been more vulnerable on the ground than through the air.
Stevenson carried the ball 20 times for 74 yards and caught his only target for three yards in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Bears. After eking out just 82 rushing yards total over the prior three games, Stevenson nearly matched that mark Sunday, although his longest gain went for only 11 yards. However, after scoring four TDs in the last two contests, he failed to get into the end zone this time around. Stevenson's 3.8 yards per carry this season is a career low, but he's already scored a career-high seven touchdowns through nine games while amassing 614 scrimmage yards. He'll try to hit paydirt again in Week 11 against the Rams.
Stevenson rushed the ball 10 times for 16 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Titans. He added five receptions on five targets for 38 yards and another touchdown. Stevenson comfortably led the Patriots' backfield in touches, though the team ran a pass-heavy offense, which led to limited volume. He couldn't get much going on the ground, though he did manage a one-yard touchdown plunge midway through the third quarter. Stevenson was more effective as a pass catcher, with his biggest contribution coming on a five-yard touchdown reception as time expired to send the game to overtime. Stevenson has been held below 3.0 yards per carry in three consecutive games, though there's been no sign of him losing his role as the lead back.
Stevenson rushed 20 times for 48 yards and two touchdowns while catching all three of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 25-22 win over the Jets. He also caught a successful two-point conversion. Stevenson scored a three-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, which he set up with a 14-yard catch on the preceding play. He added the game-winning score from one yard out with 22 seconds left in the fourth, with a two-point conversion through the air serving as the cherry on top of Stevenson's second touchdown run. Stevenson's averaging a middling 4.1 yards per carry but has five rushing touchdowns heading into a Week 9 road game against the 1-6 Titans. It remains to be seen if Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye (concussion) -- who exited in the first half of Sunday's win -- will start at quarterback for the Patriots in Week 9.