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Josh McDaniels explains TreVeyon Henderson’s limited snaps with Patriots
“Everybody wants to point out this block or that block, or what have you."
TreVeyon Henderson was arguably the star of the Patriots’ training camp and preseason slate, with the 2025 second-round pick out of Ohio State looking like a dynamic playmaker on what was once a listless New England offense.
Of course, the Patriots’ offense has taken a major step forward so far this fall — especially with Drake Maye hitting his stride as one of the top young QBs in the game.
But the same can’t be said about Henderson, who has struggled to find any sort of traction so far in the NFL ranks.
Through his first seven games with the Patriots, Henderson has recorded 43 carries for 153 yards and 16 receptions for 99 yards. Even with one touchdown under his belt, Henderson is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry — while ranking 62nd out of 63 qualified running backs with just a 13.1 pass-blocking grade, per PFF.
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During Sunday’s win over the Titans, Henderson logged just nine total snaps — finishing with five rushing yards off of two carries.
But speaking on Thursday at Gillette Stadium, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels deemed Henderson’s drop in reps as more “circumstantial” than an indictment of Henderson’s spot on the depth chart.
“Runners get into a rhythm,” McDaniels said. “And sometimes that happens. I know TreVeyon has led us in carries in other games, and certainly Rhamondre [Stevenson] did last week. So, there’s nothing specific. I think all those guys are continuing to work really hard. They play an active role in us improving ourselves in the running game.
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“Everybody wants to point out this block or that block, or what have you. There’s a read element to it, and there’s a cohesion that has to exist between the blockers and the runner. So, I think our runners are continuing to really work hard at that, meeting together with the guys up front. I mean, that’s the way you get better. So expect all those guys — I thought Terrell [Jennings] went in there and did some good things at the end, too. So, continuing to expect the runners to be productive.”
As McDaniels noted, Henderson’s reps were likely destined to dip after Stevenson opened New England’s first drive in Nashville with 42 yards off of just five carries. Stevenson finished the game with 88 yards off of 18 carries (4.9 yards per carry), while Maye also scrambled for 62 yards off of eight carries.
Henderson will look to get back on track Sunday against the Browns, with the 23-year-old running back set to match up against his former Ohio State teammate — Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins.
Despite his early rookie struggles, Henderson told NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry that he isn’t fretting over his usage so far this year.
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“Honestly, I’m pretty understanding,” he said. “I’m thankful for what God put me through last year, having another running back in the room last year, having to play alongside him. It was great. But it really matured me and helped me grow as a man of God. I feel like what God put me through last year prepared me for this year.
“I’m understanding. Especially just when it comes to this [Titans] game. Rhamondre had the hot hand, so why stop him? Keep feeding him and let him keep going. I’m happy for the way that he played, and whatever comes my way, I’m just grateful and I just try my best to take advantage of it.”
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