Patriots Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson Ruled Out vs. Ravens with Concussion
The New England Patriots are in the thick of a pivotal "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but they’ll have to finish it without one of their most promising young playmakers. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has been ruled out for the remainder of the game after suffering a concussion in the second quarter.
The injury occurred on a short run to the left side. Henderson was tackled hard and hit the turf with noticeable force, appearing to experience some whiplash as he landed on his back. He was slow to rise, and after briefly getting to his feet, he sat back down, prompting immediate attention from the Patriots' medical staff.
Henderson was able to walk off the field under his own power and was initially evaluated in the blue medical tent on the sideline. Not long after, he was taken to the locker room for further examination. The team later confirmed he would not return, officially downgrading him to out due to a concussion.
A Blow to the Patriots’ Backfield
Henderson’s exit is a significant blow to a Patriots offense that’s leaned heavily on a two-headed rushing attack this season. Alongside veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson has brought a burst of speed and fresh energy to New England’s ground game. The two backs have essentially split duties, with Stevenson often handling early-down and short-yardage work, while Henderson has provided explosiveness and versatility, especially in space.
Now, with Henderson sidelined, Stevenson becomes the clear lead back for the rest of the night. Behind him, the only other active running back is Johnson, who’s seen limited action this season-just four carries across four games. That’s not a lot of experience to lean on in a high-stakes game against one of the AFC’s top defenses.
Henderson’s Rookie Season So Far
Before the injury, Henderson had logged five carries for just three rushing yards and added one catch for nine yards. It wasn’t a big statistical night, but his presence in the backfield still mattered-his speed and ability to stretch the edge have kept defenses honest all season.
Looking at the bigger picture, Henderson’s rookie campaign has been impressive. Through 14 games, he’s recorded 143 carries for 773 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
He’s also added 34 receptions for 212 yards and a receiving score, showcasing his value as a dual-threat back. Ball security has been an area of focus-he’s lost one fumble-but overall, the rookie has shown flashes of being a long-term asset for the Patriots.
What’s Next
With Henderson now in concussion protocol, his status for Week 17 will depend on how he progresses through the league’s return-to-play process. For now, the Patriots will have to navigate the rest of this critical game-and possibly more-without one of their most dynamic offensive weapons.
For a team still fighting for playoff positioning, the timing couldn’t be worse. But if Stevenson can shoulder the load and the offensive line holds up, New England still has a path forward. The question now is whether they can adjust on the fly-and how quickly Henderson can recover.