The New England Patriots have won seven straight games to get to 8-2 on the season, but mounting injuries to their running back room have forced them to take action and add some depth before a quick turnaround on Thursday night against the New York Jets.
Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is coming off his second consecutive missed game in Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while rookie Terrell Jennings left the game with a knee injury. According to ESPN's Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, the Patriots signed RB Jonathan Ward to the practice squad and released wide receiver Brenden Rice on Tuesday. Ward was previously on the practice squad from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4 before he was replaced by Rice, but his return suggests there is some doubt regarding the availability of Stevenson and Jennings leading into Thursday.
Ward, the sixth-year player out of Central Michigan, only has 22 carries for 91 yards and one receiving TD in his career, but the Patriots will certainly take anything they can get in a depleted RB room.
Patriots RB Room Continues to Face Adversity
Although rookie TreVeyon Henderson is listed as questionable for Thursday's game due to a knee injury, all signs point to him suiting up, which is encouraging for New England. Henderson is coming off a breakout performance in Week 10 with 14 carries for 147 yards and two explosive TD runs of 55 yards and 69 yards, finally showing why he was drafted so highly in the second round.
That was exactly the type of performance New England needed to show that it can be a balanced offensive attack, not just an explosive passing game. However, with Stevenson and Jennings dealing with injuries, veteran RB D'Ernest Johnson was called up from the practice squad. Rookie Rushawn Baker, perhaps a forgotten RB who was signed to New England's practice squad in October, is another option the Patriots could turn to to have more legs available on the depth chart.
While a free-agent acquisition seems unlikely at this point, it would not be the worst decision in the world to give it a shot and potentially try to bring in someone like veteran D'Onta Foreman, who was a reliable backup to Derrick Henry during head coach Mike Vrabel's stint with the Tennessee Titans. As someone with 2,558 rush yards and 14 career rushing TDs, that would give the Patriots an experienced back who has previously crossed paths with Vrabel.
The Patriots are currently in the driver's seat in the AFC East and have a favorable schedule ahead of them, as only one game will be against a team with a record above .500 at the moment (Buffalo Bills). Considering New England already has a win against them, it has to like its outlook for the rest of the season as long as injuries do not continue to take a toll.
Henderson provided a huge glimmer of hope in Week 10 that he can deliver when the bulk of the carries fall on his shoulders, but he still needs some help around him to be able to spare him from a hefty workload and keep moving the ball down the field. Whether Stevenson or Jennings plays on Thursday, Tuesday's move shows the Patriots are aware their depth is starting to get too thin, and decisions will have to be made to ensure there are enough bodies at RB in case the injuries keep piling up.