The New England Patriots were dealt a tough blow on Sunday night, and it’s the kind that could have ripple effects down the stretch. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, one of the team's most electric young playmakers, has been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the Baltimore Ravens after suffering a head injury in the second quarter.
It was a scary moment at M&T Bank Stadium. Henderson took a hard shot as he was tackled, his head appearing to slam into the turf with real force.
He stayed down briefly before making his way off the field under his own power, but that initial impact raised immediate concerns. The Patriots listed him as questionable at first, offering a sliver of hope, but after further evaluation in the locker room, the medical staff shut him down for the night-no surprise given the NFL’s heightened concussion protocols.
Before exiting, Henderson had a quiet night statistically-five carries for just three yards and one catch for nine-but make no mistake, his absence changes the complexion of New England’s offense. Henderson’s burst, vision, and ability to create something out of nothing have been a key part of the Patriots’ attack this season. Losing him mid-game, especially in a tight, physical battle like this one against Baltimore, is far from ideal.
That puts the spotlight squarely on Rhamondre Stevenson. The veteran back now carries the full load against one of the most rugged defensive fronts in the league.
Stevenson has been in this position before and has proven he can grind out tough yards, but the Ravens don’t give an inch. With Henderson sidelined, the Patriots will need Stevenson to not just move the chains, but also provide a steady presence to keep the offense on schedule.
For now, all eyes turn to Henderson’s recovery. The team will be hoping for good news in the coming days, especially with another critical game looming next week. In the meantime, the Patriots will have to navigate the rest of this matchup-and potentially more-without one of their most dynamic weapons.