The New England Patriots have been managing injuries to their running back room throughout the season, and with the playoffs around the corner, it's starting to become more concerning as the position is currently at its thinnest this season.
The Patriots saw an abundance of players exit the game with injuries against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. One of those players was star rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who left with a concussion and was later ruled out with a head injury.
This leaves his status unknown for this week and moving forward with the remainder of the regular season. If it’s a concussion, he’ll have to clear the concussion protocol, which is a five step evaluation process to be able to play in the next game.
With Henderson's status in the air, the Patriots have signed Elijah Mitchell from the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad in hopes that the move could solve their depth woes at the position.
Elijah Mitchell Could Make His Patriots Debut Quickly Amid TreVeyon Henderson's Injury Concerns
After starting his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, Mitchell was put on season-ending injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the start of the 2025 season, but he only played one game before he was released on Dec. 20.
While Mitchell has had his share of injuries and has no guarantee to be a solution, it's the latest attempt by the Patriots to add depth to a backfield that has been battered throughout the season.
This all started after a Week 5 win against the Buffalo Bills when Antonio Gibson tore his ACL. The Patriots have struggled to find an adequate replacement as the season has progressed and it’s not from a lack of trying.
In doing so, the Patriots have signed veteran Craig Reynolds to the practice squad, but he was placed on the reserve list with an undisclosed injury shortly after his arrival. They’ve also signed Jonathon Ward, Jashaun Corbin, Rushawn Baker, D’Ernest Johnson, and Terrell Jennings over the course of the season.
Jennings, who was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, was expected to be the depth that was needed, but he’s currently on IR. Johnson was also eventually signed to the active roster this season from the practice squad.
With Johnson and Rhamondre Stevenson the only healthy running backs on the roster ahead of Sunday's game against the New York Jets, it leaves the Patriots in an uncomfortable position. If Henderson is unable to clear concussion protocol, it could force New England to elevate Mitchell as soon as Sunday's game with Stevenson handing most of the work and Mitchell and Johnson being worked in.
With so many injuries to monitor, the No. 1 element for the Patriots is overall health heading into the playoffs. It might be wise for New England to rest Henderson for the remainder of the regular season for him to be fresh in the playoffs and the addition of Mitchell, even in a modest role, could help the Patriots make sure the rookie is ready to contribute.