### Rhamondre Stevenson’s Injury: Impact on the Patriots’ Rushing Game Rhamondre Stevenson, the New England Patriots' starting running back, has been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a toe injury. This decision comes after he missed practice for three consecutive days leading up to the game, as confirmed by head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots, currently holding a 6-2 record, will rely on rookie TreVeyon Henderson to take over rushing responsibilities in Stevenson's absence. Stevenson has had a challenging season, averaging a career-low of 3.4 yards per carry, and has contributed significantly to the team's offense with 279 rushing yards and three touchdowns so far this season [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pats_rb_rhamondre_stevenson_toe_wont_play_vs_falcons/s1_17049_42994168][https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rhamondre-stevenson-will-miss-sundays-game-with-a-toe-injury]. ### Breakdown of Rhamondre Stevenson’s Injury Situation 1. **Injury Confirmation**: - Stevenson has been officially ruled out for the game against the Falcons due to a toe injury, as confirmed by multiple sources including head coach Mike Vrabel [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rhamondre-stevenson-will-miss-sundays-game-with-a-toe-injury]. 2. **Impact on Team Strategy**: - With Stevenson sidelined, rookie TreVeyon Henderson is expected to take on a larger role in the rushing game, which could significantly alter the Patriots' offensive strategy [https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nfl/new-england-patriots/news/treveyon-henderson-slated-week-9-boost-rhamondre-stevenson-injury-update/faaa7d5a6e57c9488e50cc2c]. 3. **Stevenson’s Season Performance**: - This season, Stevenson has recorded 279 rushing yards and three touchdowns, but his average of 3.4 yards per carry is notably low for his career [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pats_rb_rhamondre_stevenson_toe_wont_play_vs_falcons/s1_17049_42994168]. 4. **Team Adjustments**: - The Patriots have also signed veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson to their practice squad, indicating a proactive approach to bolster their backfield in light of Stevenson's injury [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pats_rb_rhamondre_stevenson_toe_wont_play_vs_falcons/s1_17049_42994168]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Stevenson’s Career Stats**: - Rushing Yards: 279 - Touchdowns: 3 - Receptions: 16 - Receiving Yards: 169 - Average Yards per Carry: 3.4 (career low) [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pats_rb_rhamondre_stevenson_toe_wont_play_vs_falcons/s1_17049_42994168]. - **Upcoming Game Context**: - The Patriots (6-2) will face the Falcons (3-4) without their leading rusher, which could impact their offensive efficiency [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rhamondre-stevenson-will-miss-sundays-game-with-a-toe-injury]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Stevenson’s Absence In summary, **Rhamondre Stevenson’s absence due to a toe injury poses significant challenges for the New England Patriots as they prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons**. The team will need to adapt its offensive strategy, relying on rookie TreVeyon Henderson to fill the void left by their leading rusher. 1. **Injury Status**: Stevenson is officially out for the game due to a toe injury. 2. **Offensive Adjustments**: TreVeyon Henderson is set to take on a larger role. 3. **Performance Metrics**: Stevenson has struggled this season with a career-low average of 3.4 yards per carry. 4. **Team Strategy**: The Patriots have signed D'Ernest Johnson to bolster their backfield depth. The situation underscores the importance of depth in the roster and the need for effective game planning in the face of injuries [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/pats_rb_rhamondre_stevenson_toe_wont_play_vs_falcons/s1_17049_42994168][https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rhamondre-stevenson-will-miss-sundays-game-with-a-toe-injury].