Forget about the usual Week 1 jitters, 12s, because the New England Patriots just got hit with a bombshell that could totally shake up our Seahawks’ season opener this Wednesday night. Their main running back, TreVeyon Henderson, was a no-show at practice again on Sunday, meaning his status for facing our Hawks is seriously in doubt. This isn’t just some minor ding, either. This is the kind of early season news that makes you pay attention, especially when it affects who our defense lines up against.
Henderson’s Week 1 Status Is Far From Clear
It’s been a rough stretch for Henderson, who hasn’t seen the field since August 24 after coming down with an ankle injury. With just days to go before the season kicks off, his continued absence from practice is a huge red flag. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel even hinted on Saturday that Henderson *could* return to practice, but that never materialized. Sunday rolled around, and sure enough, Henderson was still missing from the practice field. According to Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Christian Barmore was also a new absence, along with Ben Brown. The Patriots are expected to drop their official injury report later today, but right now, it’s looking bleak for Henderson’s Week 1 availability.
How The Patriots Might Line Up Against Us Without Him
So, if Henderson can’t go against our Seahawks, what are we looking at from the Patriots’ backfield? ESPN’s Mike Reiss has already pegged Rhamondre Stevenson as the clear lead back in New England, which means our defensive front needs to be ready for a heavy dose of him. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Patriots only have one other running back on their 53-man roster, Corey Kiner. That’s it! This absolutely guarantees they’ll be elevating another back from their practice squad.
The two names in the mix are Hassan Haskins and Lan Larison. Reiss pointed out that Haskins brings experience, having played 44 NFL games. However, Larison might get the nod if the Patriots are more concerned about finding someone who really knows Josh McDaniels’ system, which is crucial for pass protection. Both Haskins and Larison are also special teams contributors, especially on punt protection. No matter who they bring up, you can bet Stevenson is going to get a ton of work, with Kiner and whichever practice squad guy they choose to spell him.
This is huge for our Hawks. Our defense can go into Wednesday night knowing exactly who the primary threats are and where the potential weaknesses lie in the Patriots’ backfield rotation. Get ready, 12s, because our team has a real opportunity to make a statement in Week 1 against a potentially shorthanded opponent. Let’s show them what Lumen Field is all about!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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