Source – Pats’ Rhamondre Stevenson out with high ankle sprain،
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Tests showed Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a sprained ankle and is expected to miss “a few weeks,” a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Stevenson suffered a sprained right ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which kept him sidelined for the rest of the game.
The Patriots (2-10) visit the Steelers (7-5) on Thursday, and veteran Ezekiel Elliott is expected to take over Stevenson's lead role.
“It’s tough to see guys go down,” Elliott said Monday. “I know it's part of the sport, but Rhamondre has been very, very good for us this year in the passing and running game. You hate to see one of your brothers go down.”
Stevenson leads the Patriots with 619 rushing yards on 156 carries (3.96 ERA) and is also the team's leading receiver (38 catches).
After Stevenson's injury on Sunday, Elliott became the team's workhorse, finishing with a game-high 44 snaps. During the season, Elliott played 38% of the offensive snaps and totaled 429 rushing yards on 112 carries (3.83 average).
Elliott, in his first season with the Patriots after spending the first seven years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, indicated he was ready to play an increased role if called upon.
“I think the more I'm in there, the better I'll be. The more touches I get, the better I get at the game,” he said.
The Patriots also have eight-year veteran Ty Montgomery and fourth-year player JaMycal Hasty on the running back depth chart, with 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris on the practice squad.
New England ranks last in the NFL in points per game (12.3). The running game, with Stevenson leading the way, has been one of the bright spots.
Stevenson was injured when Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu came in unblocked and tackled him from behind, his weight falling on the back of Stevenson's right leg.
The tackling technique, often called the hip tackle, has been a hot topic in the NFL due to player safety concerns. Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is among those sidelined by injury because of it.
Stevenson fumbled the ball following the contact and Tuipulotu recovered it.
