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TreVeyon Henderson misses Patriots’ final practice ahead of Chargers game, but expected to play
Henderson missed the Patriots' final practice of the week due to personal reasons.
TreVeyon Henderson wasn’t at Patriots practice on Friday. However, the rookie running back is expected to play in Sunday’s wild-card matchup against the Chargers.
Henderson missed Friday’s practice due to personal reasons, but Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t list him among the players who’ll be listed on the final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game. Henderson was the only player not in attendance at Friday’s practice
Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga is the only player on the Patriots’ active roster that Vrabel ruled out for Sunday’s game. Tonga continues to battle a foot injury, missing the Patriots’ last two games and three of their last five due to the ailment.
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Edge rusher Harold Landry III could make his return to game action as he’ll be questionable after missing the last two games with a knee injury. Linebacker Robert Spillane and guard Jared Wilson, meanwhile, will return after missing multiple games in recent weeks. Spillane, the Patriots’ leading tackler, was sidelined for the last four games of the regular season with an ankle injury, while Wilson dealt with a concussion that caused him to sit for the last two games.
Vrabel said that Wilson will also start at left guard for Sunday’s game.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) and offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (knee) are the only other players questionable for Sunday’s game.
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Henderson has emerged as a key player for the Patriots’ offense as the season’s progressed. He led the team in rushing (911 yards) and rushing touchdowns (nine), with the majority of his production coming in the back half of the season. He’s rushed for 758 yards on 5.5 yards per carry and has scored nine total touchdowns in the Patriots’ last 10 games.
Tonga was present at Patriots practice on Friday, but didn’t participate. The fifth-year veteran has been a bit of a surprise contributor for the Patriots this year, logging 24 total tackles and playing 14 snaps as a fullback on offense.
Landry has arguably been the Patriots’ top pass rusher this season. His 8.5 sacks lead the team, and his 48 pressures are the third-most on the roster. Sunday could serve as a big day for the Patriots’ pass rush as the Chargers’ battered offensive line was the third-worst in the league during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Boutte played in the Patriots’ Week 18 win over the Dolphins after missing their Week 17 victory over the Jets, logging 34 snaps. The third-year receiver has been one of the Patriots’ top contributors in the receiving game, ranking third on the team in receiving yards (551) and receiving touchdowns (six) despite missing three games.
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Munford, meanwhile, has lined up as a tight end on several occasions for the Patriots in jumbo packages in recent weeks. That’s helped the Patriots rush for 723 yards on 6.1 yards per carry over their last four games despite dealing with injuries to Wilson and starting left tackle Will Campbell in the final weeks of the regular season.
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