The New England Patriots‘ backfield depth is about to be tested with the apparently serious injury Antonio Gibson suffered in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.
The veteran running back was ruled out midway through the second quarter with a knee injury. Being ruled out so quickly is never good, but the situation looked even more dire with Gibson walking back to the locker room with tears in his eyes.
Patriots’ RB Antonio Gibson Suffers Potentially Serious Injury
The injury occurred early in the second quarter on a kickoff return following a Bills field goal. Gibson cut the ball up field and looked ready to take on a hit. He eventually tried to hurdle the tackler, leading to a violent collision during which he also fumbled the ball.
The Patriots recovered, but the concern quickly shifted to Gibson’s health. The obvious assumption was that Gibson suffered the injury on the hit, but replays suggested he suffered some sort of non-contact injury before going airborne.
One physical therapy doctor on X suggested a brutal ligament injury for Gibson before the contact.
Gibson walked off the field with assistance but eventually made his way to the medical tent. Not long after that, he left the sideline and was ruled out with the knee injury.
Patriots Rookie RB Should Finally Get His Shot
The Gibson injury wasn’t the only major development in the New England backfield against Buffalo in Week 5. Veteran running back and incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson did nothing to ease ongoing concerns about his fumbling. He once again put it on the carpet in the first half against the Bills, his third of the season after a career-high seven last season.
At some point, patience has to wear thin from head coach Mike Vrabel, and that might mean an extended look at rookie back TreVeyon Henderson. The Ohio State product made an immediate impact during the preseason, returning his first professional touch for a touchdown.
However, New England has used him sparingly. He entered the Sunday night showdown with just 26 carries, 11 of which came in a single game against Pittsburgh. Henderson was quickly thrust into action, picking up 19 yards on just three carries, including a 13-yard rush in the first half.
What makes the lack of activity for Henderson even more perplexing is that everyone knows the sort of high-end traits he brings to the table. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine that helped make him a second-round pick after a wildly successful career at Ohio State.
Henderson’s skill set, as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said earlier in training camp,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in September, “is unlike anything the Patriots have had at the position since at least the turn of the century. He’s that fast.”
If Gibson’s injury is as serious as it appeared, the Patriots might feel compelled to make a roster move. The Patriots only carry three halfbacks, and Terrell Jennings, an undrafted free agent last season who has zero NFL experience, is the only back on their practice squad.
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