RhamondreStevenson

News: 2 days agoStevenson rushed 18 times for 51 yards and brought in five of six targets for 44 yards in the Patriots' 13-10 loss to the Seahawks on Wednesday.

Spin: As expected with TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) unavailable, Stevenson shouldered a heavy workload and found running room at a premium save for his game-long 12-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. However, the versatile veteran made an impact as a receiver, finishing with a co-team-high reception total while checking in as the runner-up in both receiving yards and targets for the Patriots on the night. Stevenson's involvement as a pass catcher unsurprisingly picked up after A.J. Brown went down with an ankle injury on the first possession of the second half, and the veteran running back could remain in an elevated all-around role during the Week 2 home opener against the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 20.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Stevenson will battle with second-year back TreVeyon Henderson for touches in the New England backfield. The duo shared the backfield at times last season, but it was the veteran Stevenson who usually operated as the lead back. He earned the role, ranking fifth among backs in forced missed tackle rate, per PFF, second in yards after contact (2.82) and first in yards per target (9.1). Stevenson, who is entering his sixth season, did miss three games (he has missed time three seasons in a row), and his overall volume was limited (9.3 carries and 2.7 targets per game), which led to a 25th-place finish in fantasy points. Now 28 years old and with Henderson still very much in the mix, Stevenson, who has one top-20 fantasy campaign to his name, is a low-upside bench option.