Dude, get this: our Week 1 opponents, the New England Patriots, are already in a major bind with their running back situation, and time is running out before they even step foot into Lumen Field. Star running back TreVeyon Henderson is in serious doubt for Wednesday’s regular-season opener here in Seattle due to an ankle injury. The guy hasn’t practiced since August 24th, and with kickoff just days away, his status is totally up in the air. That’s a huge blow for them, and potentially a big boost for our Seahawks.
Henderson’s Absence Rips a Hole in Their Offense
Let’s be real, Henderson was a factor in every game last season for the Patriots. He was their speed threat, a guy who could score from anywhere on the field. The dude put up 911 yards on 180 carries and found the end zone nine times. He even became the first player in Patriots history to rack up four 50-yard runs or rushing scores in a single season. That kind of production doesn’t just disappear without consequences. While Rhamondre Stevenson would still be the clear starter, just like last year when he out-snapped Henderson 46 to 25 in their opener, the depth behind him is looking perilously thin.
Who Steps Up? The Patriots Are Scrambling For Answers
So, with Henderson likely sidelined, who’s left? Right now, the only other running back on their 53-man roster is Corey Kiner, who they just picked up in a trade with the Cardinals at the end of August. And get this: Kiner only has four games and 30 offensive snaps of NFL experience! Asking him to carry any real weight in the frenzied Seattle environment that is Lumen Field? That’s a massive ask, man. ESPN insider Mike Reiss thinks they’ll have to elevate someone from the practice squad. The candidates? Lan Larison, a second-year player from UC Davis who spent last season on injured reserve with a foot injury, or Hassan Haskins, a four-year veteran who broke into the league with Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee squad in 2023. Vrabel himself said, “Guys have different strengths. There’s a little bit of everything, and we’ll see who we end up using for the game.” Reiss gives Larison the edge for his knowledge of Josh McDaniels’ system, but Haskins brings more experience to the table. It’s a tough call, and it shows how desperate they are without Henderson.
The Patriots have only a couple more days for Henderson to miraculously get back on the practice field. If he doesn’t, they’re making a tough choice between system knowledge and raw experience for the biggest game of their early season. For our Seahawks, that means their running game is going to look dramatically different, and hopefully, much easier for our defense to handle when they roll into the Emerald City this Wednesday. We’ll see if they can figure it out, but one thing’s for sure: the plan has already changed for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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