Just like that, the Patriots have taken another step toward being whole for Sunday’s Week 12 showdown in Cincinnati, as running back Rhamondre Stevenson returned to practice on Friday and apparently responded well. Coach Mike Vrabel told reporters in his press conference that he expects Stevenson to be back in action against a Cincinnati defense that has given up 1,609 yards rushing, the most in the NFL.
Stevenson has been out since Week 9 because of a toe injury.
Vrabel also said that wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who has missed two weeks with a hamstring injury, should be ready to go on Sunday, too. The Patriots will be without defensive lineman Milton Williams, who is on injured reserve with an ankle sprain, but the offense is just about at 100% now.
Patriots Will Have Running Back Dilemma With Rhamondre Stevenson Back
Vrabel was asked about Stevenson’s condition as the Patriots prepare to head to Cincinnati.
“I would say that there wasn’t many restrictions, and that he responded well to the practice. And I would say that as long as we don’t have any setbacks here he will play,” Vrabel said.
Stevenson has been the starter in all eight games in which he has appeared, and while he is a steady, grinding back who is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, he also has three fumbles on the season and does not have much big-play ability.
His replacement, rookie TreVeyon Henderson, is less capable of grinding out short-yardage gains, but has shown the speed to break off huge gains, including touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards in Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay. He also tallied three touchdowns in Week 11 against the Jets. The Patriots have not revealed who will start and how the workload will be divided now that Stevenson is back.
Kayshon Boutte’s Patriots Return Also Welcomed
Boutte’s return will be welcomed, too, as he has blossomed into a surprisingly effective deep threat in this Patriots offense. Boutte has 431 yards receiving on just 23 catches, an average of 18.7 yards per reception–No. 2 in the NFL.
Vrabel said that Boutte brings a relaxed presence, and that Drake Maye’s comfort level in throwing contested passes Boutte’s way is impressive.
“He’s a calming—he has a different personality,” Vrabel said. “There is a calmness to him. I appreciate that. I think that there is confidence with the quarterback. I think he’s got—if it’s a contested catch, he has shown the ability to do that, to be strong at the catch point with DBs who are going to be on body. I think that helps.”
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