TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots’ dynamic running back, is officially sidelined for multiple weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s win over the Raiders. This is a gut punch for a New England squad that’s looked like a completely different team over the last couple of weeks, finally clicking into gear. We’ve seen Drake Maye shake off those early-season jitters and absolutely ball out, playing at what feels like an MVP level. But this injury news, along with Will Campbell also going down, definitely puts a damper on things.
The Brutal Blow to the Backfield
ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the news, confirming Henderson’s high ankle sprain. Talk about a tough break! The good news, if there is any, is that he won’t need surgery, and apparently, he’s known as a quick healer. So, the hope around Foxborough has gotta be that he bounces back sooner rather than later. Still, a high ankle sprain is no joke, and it’s going to cost the Patriots their top running back for a significant chunk of time. He’s already confirmed out for Week 6 against the New York Jets, and it’s looking super unlikely he’ll be back for Week 7’s Thursday Night Football showdown with the Chicago Bears.
Keeping the Offense Rolling Without Henderson
With Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins potentially being his first shot at a return, New England is staring down at least two, maybe more, weeks without Henderson. High ankle sprains are notoriously tricky, right? You just can’t rush those things. The good news is Rhamondre Stevenson has been holding it down, and the team should still feel confident in their run game. Plus, with Maye absolutely dealing and A.J. Brown possibly returning soon, this Patriots offense might just be able to function fine even without Henderson. It’s a testament to Maye’s turnaround and the depth they’ve got, but man, you never want to lose a player like Henderson when the offense is finally hitting its stride. Whether he lands on injured reserve is still up in the air, but if he doesn’t, we could see him back before the Week 11 bye.
The Patriots will have to lean on Stevenson and Maye’s arm when they roll into Week 6 to face the Jets. It’s a huge test to see if this “different team” vibe can keep going even without one of their key playmakers.
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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