The New England Patriots are in the thick of the AFC East race, and every snap, every player, and every injury report matters right now. That brings us to rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson - a name fantasy managers and Patriots fans alike are watching closely as Week 17 approaches.
Henderson is currently in concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury last week, and his status for this weekend’s game is still very much up in the air.
He was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, which typically indicates that a player hasn’t yet cleared all the necessary steps in the league’s concussion protocol. For those unfamiliar, the NFL’s return-to-play process after a concussion is layered and strict - and for good reason. A player must progress through a series of benchmarks, including symptom-free rest, light aerobic exercise, football-specific activities, and finally, full participation in practice before being cleared for game action.
So, what should we be watching for as the week unfolds?
Thursday and Friday are going to be key. If Henderson is upgraded to a full participant in practice on either of those days, that’s a strong signal he’s cleared protocol and could be on track to suit up.
But if he remains limited through the end of the week, it’s a red flag for his availability. Limited participation late in the week usually means a player hasn’t met all the clearance criteria - and with concussions, there’s no shortcut.
For the Patriots, Henderson’s availability could have real implications. He’s been carving out a role in the offense, and his blend of burst and vision gives New England a dynamic option in the backfield. If he’s out, the Patriots will need to lean more heavily on their other backs - and possibly adjust their game plan accordingly.
For fantasy football managers still alive in championship week, Henderson’s status is equally critical. He’s the kind of high-upside play that could swing a matchup, but only if he’s on the field.
Bottom line: keep an eye on the Thursday and Friday practice reports. Those will tell the real story about whether TreVeyon Henderson is trending toward playing - or sitting - in one of the most important games of the season.