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What does it mean that TreVeyon Henderson is listed 3rd on the Patriots’ depth chart?
As the Week 1 gets closer, the Patriots running back room is still up in the air.
The start of the NFL season has arrived, and New England released their latest depth chart on Tuesday.
One key decision fans have their eyes on is rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson being listed as RB3, behind veterans Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
Coming out of Ohio State, Henderson shone in preseason, scoring a 100-yard kick return on his first touch. He then scored an eight-yard rush in his second game against the Vikings, bouncing off defenders in the process.
While rookies getting much of the workload in preseason isn’t uncommon, his explosiveness has Patriots fans excited for the future.
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“He’s like a lightning bolt”, quarterback Drake Maye said post-game after Henderson’s kick return. “Pretty cool the first time he touches the football, it’s a touchdown.”
New England has relied on Stevenson for the last three seasons, but has been consistent in utilizing a “committee” backfield, with a few backs splitting the workload.
With Stevenson recording a career-high seven fumbles last season, there were questions about what the position was going to look like this year.
However, head coach Mike Vrabel hasn’t said that anything will change this season, which suggests that the running back committee will continue. Stevenson, Henderson, and Gibson will likely all see touches, but things could easily shift throughout the season.
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Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has liked using a variety of running backs for different roles. One could play on first downs, one in the red zone, one in passing situations, etc.
We’ll learn this week what his plan is, and how the running back room will pan out.
Henderson seems to be happy with this situation as well.
“Seeing the other guys go and just competing with the other guys, it pushes me a lot, helps me get going”, Henderson said in the press conference after his first preseason game.
Being listed low on the depth chart is common for rookies, so while it is looking like Stevenson will start the game on Sunday, reports suggest that we will see many reps from the three of them.
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