New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 4 to help his team upset the Buffalo Bills, 29-26. Stevenson has been limited in practice this week and is listed as questionable going into Week 5 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, but the sixth-year pro said Friday that he was prepared to play on Sunday. Stevenson injured his knee at the end of the Week 4 victory against the Bills but insisted that the ailment was minor.
The former fourth-round pick had a season-high 18 carries in Week 1 when fellow running back TreVeyon Henderson was sidelined due to an ankle injury. Henderson returned in Week 2 though and like last year, the duo has been splitting work in the backfield this fall. Stevenson leads New England in rushing attempts (44), rushing yards (163), yards from scrimmage (253) and touches (56) this season, but is averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry as well.
The Patriots will need a big performance from the Henderson-Stevenson pairing, as New England is still without star wideout A.J. Brown, who landed on injured reserve after the Week 1 contest due to an ankle issue. New England will also be without a host of crucial defenders on Sunday versus Las Vegas, including starting cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (neck) and Christian Gonzalez (shoulder).
The Raiders, meanwhile, could be missing star running back Ashton Jeanty for the Week 5 clash, as the second-year pro is listed as questionable because of ankle and foot injuries.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
