The New England Patriots revealed on Wednesday that they had decided to place running back Rhamondre Stevenson on injured reserve, concluding his season after 12 games.
Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 3, ending in a 0-6 loss.
Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu executed an unblocked blitz, hip-drop tackling Stevenson from behind. The tackle resulted in a fumble, swiftly recovered by Tuipulotu.
"He had been making good progress. But based on where the #Patriots are, pushing it makes no sense," wrote NFL Network's Insider Ian Rapoport on X.
Already grappling with challenges, the Patriots' offensive unit now faces a considerable blow with the absence of Stevenson.
The team currently ranks lowest in points per game, averaging 14.1 and holds the fifth-lowest total yards per game at 285.5 in the league.
Notably, Stevenson led the Patriots with 619 rushing yards on 156 carries and in receptions with 38 catches for 238 yards at the time of his injury. He also contributed four rushing touchdowns to the team's tally.
However, this record was rather disappointing when compared to his impressive performance in 2022. The former fourth-round pick recorded a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in the previous season, caught 69 passes for 421 receiving yards and scored six total touchdowns.
As they navigate the remainder of the season, the Patriots will be facing two of the top 10 defenses in total yards allowed per game, the Buffalo Bills (9-6) and the New York Jets (6-9).
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Stevenson is anticipated to contribute significantly to the New England Patriots' plans, making his complete recovery from the ankle injury crucial as he aims to return even stronger.
Changes to squad
To fill the gap left by Stevenson's injury, the Patriots recently signed Ke'Shawn Vaughn from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the practice squad, adding depth behind Ezekiel Elliott, Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty.
In Stevenson's absence, the backup running backs have stepped up impressively. Elliott, a seasoned player with seven years of experience, has taken the lead role, showcasing versatility as both a rusher and receiver.
Elliott has gained 120 rushing yards on 45 carries and caught 21 receptions for 126 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
Harris has also made significant contributions with powerful runs, including a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.
To strengthen their roster further, the Patriots have claimed Marco Wilson off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals, according to a report by Adam Schefter. The 25-year-old cornerback has recorded 158 tackles and three interceptions in 43 career NFL games.
The 2021 fourth-round pick faced ups and downs during his tenure with the Cardinals, starting in the first 11 games but not seeing defensive snaps in the last four before being waived.
With the Patriots' secondary facing challenges this season, including the loss of Christian Gonzalez to a season-ending injury and roster moves involving Jack Jones and J.C. Jackson, the addition of Wilson provides much-needed depth in the defensive backfield.
Jalen Mills and Jabrill Peppers, who are dealing with injuries, further highlight the necessity of bolstering the secondary.
In addition, the Patriots also announced Wednesday the signing of tight end La'Michael Pettway to the team's practice squad.
The 26-year-old has been with various teams since entering the league as an undrafted player, including participating in the 2021 NFL Spring League.