The Patriots will be without Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 9 against the Falcons, a tough blow against a team that has allowed 885 yards of rushing, which ranks No. 22 in the NFL. Stevenson is dealing with a toe injury and it is not clear how long he will be out.
Coach Mike Vrabel was asked this week about the state of Stevenson’s toe and whether it might require a stint on the injured reserve, which would put him out for four weeks. Vrabel was cagey, saying only, âRhamondre will be out this week, everybody else does not have a designation.”
When pressed for when Stevenson, the team’s leading rusher with 279 yards on 83 carries, might return, Vrabel would only say, âIt certainly wonât be this week.â
Patriots Will Bring in D’Ernest Johnson for Week 9
With Stevenson out, the Patriots have been scraping the waiver wire for replacements. Backup Antonio Gibson is also out, having suffered a torn ACL in Week 4. He, of course, won’t be back this year. Already, the team has bumped up Terrell Jennings to the active roster as the No. 2 back, and rookie TreVeyon Henderson has leapt from RB3 to RB 1 in a five-week span.
The Patriots added three running backs to the depth chart this week, signing veterans DâErnest Johnson and Jonathan Ward as well as Rushawn Baker to the practice squad. While it was not clear which would be joining the team as the third running back on Sunday, the team made the announcement before the game: It’ll be Johnson.
Patriots Are Johnson’s 3rd Team This Season
From the Patriots’ team release on the transaction:
“Johnson is in his seventh NFL season after spending time with the Cleveland Browns (2019-22), Jacksonville Jaguars (2023-24), Baltimore Ravens (2025) and Arizona Cardinals (2025). The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Cleveland out of South Florida in 2019 and played with the Browns through the 2022 season. He signed with Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent in 2023 and then with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.”
Johnson had been on the practice squads of the Ravens and the Cardinals before he was picked up by the Patriots this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson Pass Protection Will Be Missed
One reason Stevenson has remained a stalwart for the team, even as he has struggled with three fumbles this season, is his ability in pass protection. Drake Maye remains the focal point of this team, and Vrabel is only hoping he can get the same protection from his new guys.
Said Vrabel: “We’ll have to continue to find ways to protect our quarterback the best way that we can. I mean, he’s one of our best players. That goes without saying. So, however we’re doing that based on the fronts that they give us, the looks that they give us, if it’s a five-down look, if it’s a backer or nickel off the ball, we’ll have to make sure that we’re sound in protection and that we are getting to where we need to be.
“But also, it’s one thing to know where you’re supposed to be, it’s another to go over there and to get the block done.”
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