The Patriots’ offense has endured major struggles in recent weeks in particular, and the team’s top producer is now in line to miss time. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a high ankle sprain, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Stevenson left New England’s 6-0 loss to the Chargers in the first quarter and did not return. Today’s update will likely sideline him for at least the team’s upcoming Thursday night game against the Steelers, and any additional missed time will impact the Patriots’ ground game. Stevenson leads New England with 619 rushing yards.
The 25-year-old also has a team-leading 38 receptions as the Patriots have struggled to generate a consistent passing attack. Stevenson has 238 yards through the air while scoring four touchdowns on the ground. His absence will interrupt his third season with the team (and second as the clear-cut lead back) and force New England to rely heavily on Ezekiel Elliott for the time being.
Elliott joined the Patriots after a lengthy free agent period following his Cowboys release. Elliott’s deal set him up for a backup role on a team that was expected to use a run-heavy approach. The former rushing champion has posted 429 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 112 attempts, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The figure sits slightly lower than Stevenson’s, but Elliott will now handle a larger workload than he has previously this season.
The Pro Bowler logged a season-high 17 carries on Sunday after Stevenson went down. No serious negotiations took place, and he remained with the Patriots as a result. Receiving an extended RB1 look late in the year could help Elliott boost his free agent stock ahead of the offseason. The missed time for Stevenson could hurt his value on a new deal, something he will be eligible for this spring.
New England has mustered only 13 points across the past three games, struggling through poor quarterback play with both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe under center. Regardless of which passer suits up on Thursday, they will not have the benefit of a healthy backfield.
