This team has excelled not only through the air, with contributions from players like Stefon Diggs, but also on the ground. Stevenson has been a key figure in the running game for much of the season, making his presence at Paycor Stadium essential for the Patriots.

While the NFL’s official site lists the running back as questionable for the game against the Bengals, according to the latest update from Adam Schefter, Stevenson will be on the field alongside his teammates.

This is undoubtedly great news not just for Drake Maye, but for the rest of his teammates as well, as the veteran has been a key component of the Patriots’ offensive structure throughout this season.

What injury is plaguing Stevenson?

The veteran back Rhamondre Stevenson has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a nagging toe injury and, while he was listed as questionable, latest reports indicate that he will play.

His return represents a massive boost, providing a much-needed physical presence in the backfield that has been covered admirably by rookie TreVeyon Henderson.

Stevenson’s impact on the Patriots’ offense

Prior to his recent injury absence, Rhamondre Stevenson was the essential engine driving the Patriots’ surprisingly effective offense. In the first eight games of the 2025 season, Stevenson recorded 279 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns on 83 attempts, providing a critical ground threat.

More importantly, he remained a potent receiving weapon out of the backfield, accumulating 169 receiving yards on 16 receptions. His ability to convert runs and threaten the defense as a receiver (averaging over 10 yards per reception) makes him an irreplaceable dual-threat component, forcing defenses to respect New England’s backfield on every down.

Rhamondre Stevenson is the starting running back for the Patriots. He is currently dealing with a toe injury and may not play in Week 9 against the Falcons.

Following this update, the Patriots have taken action. On Thursday, the AFC East team announced the signing of D’Ernest Johnson, a veteran running back who will add depth in case Stevenson can’t play.

Who is D’Ernest Johnson?

D’Ernest Johnson is a 29-year-old running back who has struggled to find consistency in the NFL. He went undrafted out of South Florida in 2018 and made his professional debut a year later with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football.

The Browns gave him an opportunity in 2021, and he made an immediate impact with a standout debut, rushing for 146 yards. Since then, he has spent time with the Jaguars, Ravens, and Cardinals, though with limited playing time.

The Patriots have not brought him in to replace Stevenson as RB1. If the starter can’t suit up on Sunday, TreVeyon Henderson is expected to take over as the lead back, while Johnson could be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to add depth.

An intriguing test in Week 9

The Patriots are in strong form. Mike Vrabel has coached this team exceptionally well, with Drake Maye emerging as the main star, but Week 9 presents an intriguing challenge.

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a surprising defeat to the Miami Dolphins. It remains uncertain whether Michael Penix Jr. will start, which could force the Patriots to adjust their entire game plan if Kirk Cousins starts for the second consecutive week.

Gibson was initially slated to take on starting duties, as Mayo confirmed during a pregame radio interview. However, in a last-minute switch, Stevenson reclaimed the RB1 role. When questioned about the sudden change, Mayo responded curtly, “That was just a coach’s decision,” via Patriots.com. Pressed further, he doubled down, saying, “I understand your question. Look, it’s a coach’s decision. So I’ll leave it at that.”

Stevenson’s benching had reportedly been tied to ball security concerns, with NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport noting that the running back had fumbled the football seven times prior to Saturday’s game against the Chargers.

Gibson, who joined the Patriots after four seasons with the Washington Commanders, has a track record as a 1,000-yard rusher, achieving the milestone in 2021. Similarly, Stevenson surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in 2022, making the competition for the starting role a point of debate.

The decline of the New England Patriots: from dynasty to disarray

For two decades, the New England Patriots set the gold standard in the NFL. With Tom Brady at quarterback and Bill Belichick crafting game plans as one of the most brilliant minds in football history, the team secured six Super Bowl titles, numerous playoff berths, and a near-mythical reputation. Yet, the 2023 season serves as a stark reminder of how far they’ve fallen from their glory days.

From dynasty to disappointment

The Patriots weren’t just winners—they were the epitome of sustained excellence. Between 2001 and 2019, they dominated the AFC East and consistently controlled their playoff destiny. The Brady-Belichick duo excelled not just because of individual talent but because of their unmatched ability to adapt and find ways to win, even with rosters that weren’t always the most star-studded.

Fast forward to 2024 and the Patriots find themselves in unfamiliar territory: irrelevant in the postseason picture and grappling with glaring deficiencies across the board. Their offense has been among the league’s least effective, while a once-reliable defense struggles to compensate for a team in decline.

The post-Brady void

Tom Brady’s departure following the 2019 season marked the end of an era—and exposed a critical vulnerability: the lack of a solid succession plan. Since then, the Patriots have been in search of consistency at quarterback. Cam Newton failed to fill the void, and while Mac Jones showed promise in his rookie season, his development appears to have stalled this year.

As the Patriots navigate this difficult chapter, the question remains: Can the franchise rebuild and return to prominence, or is their reign of dominance officially a thing of the past?

“I want to be the featured back for the Patriots,” Stevenson said, via the Boston Globe. “I love playing all three downs. Playing running back on third down is totally different from first and second down. It’s a totally different position. You have to pick up the blitz, run your route, keep the quarterback safe — there’s a lot that goes into it. But when you do it right, it’s like an accomplishment.”

Stevenson, 25, aims to become the Patriots’ primary option on the ground. While an ankle injury ended his season prematurely last year, the Oklahoma product also faced competition in his three seasons at Gillette Stadium, with James White, Damien Harris, and Ezekiel Elliott at his position.

But now that he’s been left as the most experienced player in a young RB room, Stevenson wants to prove his worth as his four-year, $4,229,056 contract expires at the end of 2024. He hopes the rest of his teammates can contribute as well, but Stevenson wants to lead the way.

“I definitely don’t want to be just the only running back,” Stevenson said. “I definitely want Kevin (Harris) to get in. I definitely want things to happen. But I kind of want to take the charge.”

Patriots need to improve in offense

While the defense may have been one of the Patriots’ few bright spots in the last few years, their offense has left a lot to be desired. After Bill O’Brien failed to right the ship in 2023, former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was hired for the same job in New England.

Needless to say, Van Pelt faces a challenging task in trying to fix an offense that has been dysfunctional, to put it lightly, since Tom Brady left the organization. Last year, the Patriots and Carolina Panthers finished tied for the fewest points per game with 13.9.

Fortunately for Stevenson, the new Patriots OC is a guy who believes in the importance of a strong running game. “I think running the football in this league wins games, wins championships, being able to do that late into the season,” Van Pelt said, via NESN.

However, one of the biggest questions around the Patriots heading into 2024 is who will be at quarterback. Bailey Zappe ended up benching Mac Jones last season, but his performances weren’t impressive either. New England has the third overall pick in the Draft, so chances are a new quarterback will join the team.

They’re both under heavy scrutiny after a subpar season, and team owner Robert Kraft has made it loud and clear that he won’t tolerate another mediocre campaign in 2023.

However, even though he may not get as much of the spotlight, the key to the Bill Belichick’s team offensive breakout could come from Rhamondre Stevenson, who’ll enter the year as the lead RB.

Stevenson Wants To Be A Leader

“That’s what’s being asked of me right now,” Stevenson told the Boston Herald about his new-found leadership role. “I’m trying to take that step. It’s still early, but I’m trying to take that step to be a leader.”

“Just getting in shape again, just getting my wind back,” Stevenson continued “Damien’s [Harris] out of here now so I’m kind of the guy, so just trying to make sure I’m ready for the end of the season.”

Stevenson Is Getting Ready For The Season

Likewise, he knows he’s going to be in for an expanded role in 2023. Bill Belichick has never doubted sending a player back into the dog house, so he knows he needs to back up the talk with his play:

“It’s just a long season. You just have to mentally prepare for that long season,” Stevenson added. “That’s the best thing you can do, just mentally prepare, just know that it’s a 17-game season and have to get after it.”

“I think just getting years under your belt in this league brings confidence,” Stevenson continued. “I think I’m pretty confident, just being around almost the same guys for three years, just building that chemistry is bringing us closer and play better.”

There will be no more margin for error in Foxboro. The patience is running out, and there could be plenty of changes if things don’t pan out this season, so the fans better hope Stevenson has a breakout year as expected.

But what happens when all the obvious guys are off the board? We already know Austin Ekeler, Jonathan Taylor, and Derrick Henry will be studs. Everybody does, so chances are they won’t fall right into your lap.

That’s where our guide comes in handy, especially for rookie players. Here, we’re going to let you know about three under-the-radar runnnig backs that will outplay their value and projected draft pick.

NFL Fantasy: 3 Sleeper Running Backs To Consider

3. Rhamondre Stevenson

Rhamondre Stevenson needed nine full weeks to finally get Bill Belichick to notice him. Now, he’s expected to have an expander role in the New England Patriotsrun-heavy offense in his sophomore season.

Of course, the Pats’ revolving door of Running Backs could be frustrating, but his touches didn’t go down even when starter Damien Harris was back on the field, and he’s gotten plenty of first-team reps in training camp.

2. Isiah Pacheco

It’s time to be honest and realize that Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a bust. Even when he’s been healthy, which hasn’t been the case often, he’s failed to capitalize on the Kansas City Chiefsexplosive offense.

Isiah Pacheco has drawn plenty of praise during training camp and figures to take most touches away from CEH early in the season. He’s an every-down kind of back and has reliable hands, which will be key for Patrick Mahomes.

1. Dameon Pierce

The Houston Texans won’t be very good next season, so drafting one of their RBs when they’re likely going to trail in most games could be a risky bet. However, Dameon Pierce should looks like a stud in the making.

Pierce has turned a lot of heads during training camp and is already looking at a big workload in Week 1. His status as a relatively-unknown player makes him fall late in most drafts, so don’t hesitate to get him.