Patriots RB Damien Harris led the backfield in carries (18) and rushing yards (86) in Sunday's OT loss at Green Bay. That included claiming the team's only rushing score. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 66 yards on 14 carries but also led the team in targets (5) and receptions (4). Stevenson's passing-game usage again found him leading Harris in snaps.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson edged RB Damien Harris in carries (12-11) and touches (16-13) in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. He also outproduced his backfield mate, averaging 6.1 yards per rush to Harris' 3.7. Stevenson added 4-28 receiving (7.0 per catch) vs. Harris' 2-5 (2.5). Each scored a rushing TD. This marked the 2nd straight game in which Stevenson led Harris by more than 15 total snaps and more than doubled his route rate. Although Harris opened the game in the lineup, Stevenson looks like the 1st guy to use going forward. (Of course, it's Bill Belichick's team. So we'll watch to see if that changes.)
Patriots RB Damien Harris appeared to injure his left knee late in Sunday's win over the Steelers. He was able to hobble off the field but was in obvious pain. Stay tuned for an update. RB Rhamondre Stevenson would be the obvious beneficiary of Harris' absence.
The Patriots placed RB Ty Montgomery on IR. No word yet on the specific injury, but he's out for at least the next 4 games. Montgomery finished 2nd among Patriots RBs in snaps (36%) and tied Damien Harris for the RB lead in routes (31%) in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, finishing with 2 carries and 4 targets. His absence opens up considerable opportunity in the passing game. It's uncertain whether Harris, RB Rhamondre Stevenson or possibly even RB Pierre Strong will capture it.
Patriots RBs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson each got carries on the 1st offensive possession of Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. They finished nearly even -- Harris 9, Stevenson 8 -- but Harris ran more efficiently. He averaged 5.3 yards per rush to Stevenson's 3.1 and added 10 receiving yards on 2 catches among 3 targets. (Stevenson caught both of his targets for just 2 yards.) Ty Montgomery played through his questionable tag and led the backfield with 4 targets but managed just 15 yards on 3 catches and lost 2 yards on his 2 carries. Expect this backfield to remain frustrating for lineup-setting.
Patriots RB Ty Montgomery (knee) is active for today’s opener vs. the Dolphins. He’s not a fantasy option but does figure to siphon some passing-down snaps. Rookie RB Pierre Strong is a healthy scratch for New England.
Patriots RB Ty Montgomery (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's opener vs. the Dolphins after a limited week of practice. Montgomery shouldn't be in your Week 1 fantasy plans, but his absence would free up passing-down snaps -- likely for RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick said Tuesday that RB Ty Montgomery (ankle) "has a shot" to play in this weekend's opener vs. the Dolphins. We'll track Montgomery's practice participation over the next few days. He shouldn't be in your Week 1 fantasy plans, but Montgomery's absence would open up passing-down snaps -- likely for RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
NESN's Zack Cox expects Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to open the season as the "1B to [Damien] Harris' 1A." But, Cox adds, "it wouldn’t shock me if [Stevenson] eventually leapfrogs Harris and becomes New England’s top early-down option." Cox also says he expects "a much larger role in the passing game" for Stevenson this season. He'll be just a RB3 in fantasy lineups out of the gate, but there's upside well beyond that as we move deeper into the season.
The Athletic's Chad Graff expects Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to get the "bulk" of the passing-down snaps early in the season, assuming RB Ty Montgomery (ankle) is out. "And his performance in the first few weeks could dictate how much Montgomery sees the field," Graff writes. We're expecting Stevenson and Damien Harris to split carries fairly evenly this year, but Stevenson's pass-catching upside makes him the more appealing fantasy pick.
ESPN's Mike Reiss says RB Ty Montgomery is "likely" headed to short-term IR with the ankle injury he suffered in the preseason finale. That'd cost Montgomery at least the first 4 games of the season and leave RB Rhamondre Stevenson as the favorite for pass-catching work. We'll let you know if Montgomery ends up on IR.
Patriots RB Ty Montgomery suffered a leg injury in Friday night's preseason game vs. the Raiders. He was carted back to the locker room. We'll update Montgomery's status when we know more, but he's not worth a pick if you're drafting tonight. His absence would open up passing-down snaps for RBs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson
ESPN's Mike Reiss believes the Patriots might deploy both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson as 3-down backs this season. The idea is that they'd rotate series -- like they did in the 2nd preseason game -- but stay on the field for 3rd downs. Reiss believes RB Ty Montgomery might play "when it's a two-minute offense type of situation." If Reiss is right, Harris and Stevenson would be just RB3s in fantasy lineups when both are healthy. But if either gets hurt, the other would become a strong fantasy play.
Mike Dussault of the Patriots' official website calls RB Ty Montgomery the "early favorite" for passing-down duties. "Montgomery has been one of the under-the-radar stars of Patriots training camp this summer, slowly but surely cementing himself as part of the running back rotation," Dussault writes. HC Bill Belichick called Montgomery a "very smart, multi-skilled, multi-talented player" prior to Tuesday's practice. This still feels like a fluid situation, with RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong also in the mix for pass-catching work. But it's time to at least start considering Montgomery near the end of deeper PPR drafts.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick said Tuesday that RB Rhamondre Stevenson "has done a real good job improving his pass-game skills," especially as a pass protector. Stevenson said back in June that his primary focus this offseason was in the passing game, and it sounds like the work has paid off. New England's pass-catching role is up for grabs with RB James White's retirement. It sounds like Stevenson, Ty Montgomery and rookie Pierre Strong are the top contenders for that job.
NESN's Zack Cox calls Ty Montgomery a "strong candidate" for the Patriots' 3rd-down RB role. "He’s listed as a wide receiver but has seen just as many reps in the backfield this summer, if not more," Cox writes. He goes on to concede that Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie Pierre Strong are also candidates for the 3rd-down job. So the situation is as clear as mud at this point. We'll see if we learn anything in preseason games.
Pats RB James White remains without a “clear timetable” to come off the PUP list, per insider Jeff Howe. The possibility remains that White, who’s rehabbing a hip injury, stays on the PUP list to start the season. Rhamondre Stevenson remains the favorite for passing-down work.
"My guess after being around this team a little is that Rhamondre Stevenson probably will get the bulk of the carries," NBC Sports' Peter King said after attending Patriots training camp. It's a tepid prediction -- and King reminded us that "you're not gonna have any Patriots RB run it 300 times. That's just not the way Bill Belichick wants to use his personnel in the backfield." But it's still noteworthy considering RB Damien Harris is going a round or 2 ahead of Stevenson in fantasy drafts. We'll be keeping a close eye on this backfield in the preseason.
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