TreVeyon Henderson impresses Patriots of past and present in preseason debut
"He's like a lightning bolt."
It didn’t take long for TreVeyon Henderson to make an impact in his first unofficial NFL game.
The Patriots’ rookie running back took the game’s opening kickoff the distance in their 48-18 win over the Commanders on Friday, scoring a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown on his first touch.
The play certainly impressed Henderson’s Patriots teammates.
“He’s like a lightning bolt. I saw the crease, knew he was gone,” Patriots quarterback Drake Maye told reporters. “Pretty cool, the first time he touches the football, it’s a touchdown. Credit to the guys that did the blocking up front. That’s special teams and all three phases. Special teams got a chance to be big for us this year.”
“It was crazy. Exciting. He lit us all up,” fellow Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson added. “He had some speed on that one.”
Patriots of old were also left amazed by Henderson’s play. Former Patriots running back James White exclaimed that Henderson is “going to be a problem” in a social media post, while former Patriots center David Andrews teased Devin McCourty that he already likes the “this new #32.”
Even though the Commanders rested the vast majority of their projected Week 1 starters on Friday, Henderson’s kickoff return served as a good omen for the rest of the game as New England hopes to turn things around after two straight 4-13 seasons. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel certainly enjoyed it, emphasizing that he wanted to see good plays on special teams in Friday’s game.
“I think that was one of the phases that we talked that was going to be so critical. It’s hard to really rep full speed,” Vrabel said of Henderson’s touchdown. “We got a few of ’em against Washington. I think we saw some things that we can improve on. That’s exactly what we did.
“I think TreVeyon read it out and hit the hole and everybody else blocked and finished and did all those good things. It’s a step in the right direction. I think it’s exciting. We talk about how critical a phase of a game is going to be, to be able to come out here and work on it.”
Henderson’s contributions in his present debut didn’t end there. On his lone carry, he took a halfback toss and hit the outside hard before picking up an 18-yard gain.
The rookie was a bit more active in the passing game. He made three receptions for 12 yards, taking one of his catches for a nine-yard gain when he slipped out of a tackle at the line of scrimmage before barreling over a defender at the end of the play.
Henderson only played in two offensive drives on Friday, splitting touches with Stevenson and Antonio Gibson out of the backfield. As Stevenson has rushed for 1,000 yards in the past and Gibson has proven to be a quality depth running back, Henderson appreciates the opportunity to compete with those guys in practice and now on gamedays.
“I think we do a good job of just feeding off one another’s energy,” Henderson said. “I know in practice, those guys motivate me. You don’t always come out to practice motivated, but seeing other guys go and just competing with the other guys, it pushes me a lot. It helps me get going. And same with the game.”
In terms of touches, Stevenson led the way out of the Patriots’ backfield. He had seven carries for 36 yards, rushing for an impressive 5.1 yards per carry. Gibson added 26 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry to go with an 11-yard reception.
The addition of Henderson to the Patriots’ backfield certainly gives them a good combination of power, speed, and size. They’ve also shown the ability to be receiving threats, making them versatile players. Maye enjoys having the dynamism around him.
“I think it’s tough on the defense,” Maye said. “They all can make you miss. They can run over you. They can catch balls out of the backfield. It’s going to be challenging for us on when to use ‘em, how to use ‘em, getting ‘em the ball. Got to get those guys open in space.
“They’re great football players. See two of them on the kickoff return. I don’t know who they’re going to kick it to. Pretty big ones tonight. Excited to have them beside me.”
While all three made contributions, Friday was still Henderson’s night to remember. He knows that it’s only the preseason, but it marked a dream come true for the rookie running back.
“This is something as a little kid I’d be dreaming about, to be in this position, to be given this opportunity, and so I’m thankful,” Henderson said. “I’m trying my best to take advantage of every opportunity I get. Man, it’s amazing to be here.”
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