Patriots Await TreVeyon Henderson's Breakout After Injury Shakes Up Backfield
Coming into the 2025 season, there were ample indications that the Patriots had landed an electric playmaker by picking second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson, a guy who looked as though he would contribute immediately as a rookie and perhaps even take over the every-down duties from Rhamondre Stevenson sooner rather than later.
That’s not quite how things have played out, though. Henderson has struggled with pass protection, which is one reason his snap count has fluctuated. While he has been far more sure-handed than the fumble-prone Stevenson, the coaching staff clearly does not trust him.
Henderson has gained 121 yards on 32 attempts, and has 15 catches for 90 yards. For an offense that ranks 27th in rushing yards, he’s been run-of-the-mill. But now, the injury to Stevenson’s primary backup, Antonio Gibson–out with an ACL tear suffered in Week 5–could nudge the Patriots into finally using Henderson more.
Patriots’ Josh McDaniels: ‘Trying to Prepare Every Guy’
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was asked about reacting to the Gibson injury this week, and said he hoped that those who will replace him are “prepared.”
“Whenever a guy gets injured, you never know exactly how long they’re going to be out and all the rest of it. But certainly, we’re trying to prepare every guy to play when it’s his turn. We’ll see how that plays out here,” McDaniels said.
“You hate it for any of the players who work so hard to put themselves in position to have a great season, any guy who goes down with any injury big or small, it’s tough. It’s tough for them, most importantly.”
TreVeyon Henderson Was the ‘Best Player’ in Camp
Henderson had some eye-opening moments in training camp, and while some have downplayed the expectations that were on him coming into the season, we should remember that it was only about six weeks ago that he was having his praises sung.
In fact, NBC Sports Boston’s insider Phil Perry, after camp had wrapped up, named Henderson the “Best Player” of the New England summer.
“I’m as surprised as you are that a rookie second-round pick, a running back of all positions, was the best player in camp,” Perry said at the time. “But on a roster that is really lacking in terms of explosive game-changing talents, I think Henderson is one already. He’s shown that in camp.”
And remember, CLNS and insider Mike Giardi declared Henderson the “MVP” of Patriots camp.
Patriots Have Not Gotten Big Plays From TreVeyon Henderson Yet
We haven’t seen that yet. Perhaps the Gibson injury is a precursor to Henderson’s breakout. Either way, the Patriots need a jolt from the run game, both from the offensive line and from the guys carrying the ball.
McDaniels said he doesn’t think there is a quick answer to the team’s ground-game issues. But he thinks they’ll get solved.
“I don’t think there is any shortcut there,” he said. “It’s not for a lack of effort on anybody’s part. I think you just gotta keep working at it. That sometimes is a little bit of a process that comes behind the passing game, at times. Time on task, time in pads that we’re continuing to work on. Patience is important in that regard and not abandoning things and looking for one answer here or there.”
SHOCKING MOVE: Steelers EXPLORE TRADE OPTIONS FOR $5.2M SPEEDSTER—Could THIS Game-Changing WR Be Headed to Pittsburgh?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add another offensive weapon to the roster.
The Steelers are off to a 3-1 start and coming off a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, and had their bye week last week. With Pittsburgh off to a hot start, the Steelers could be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.
One area of need is at receiver, and the Steelers are already calling around. According to Steelers insider Andrew Fillipponi, Pittsburgh has checked in with the New Orleans Saints over Rashid Shaheed.
“Source: The Steelers reached out to the Saints during the bye week to take their temperature on WR Rashid Shaheed. Who will be a FA at the end of the year. Big play WR and return man. Trades are being made in the NFL left and right,” Fillipponi wrote on X.
Shaheed signed a one–year, $5.2 million contract extension with the Saints this offseason and is off to a hot start. With New Orleans likely to be near the bottom of the standings, Shaheed’s name has come up in trade talks.
The speedy receiver would be a deep ball threat for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense. Shaheed has recorded 22 receptions for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, including an 87-yard touchdown reception, showing his ability to stretch the field.
Rodgers: Steelers Don’t Have a Deep Ball Right Now
Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled this season to move the ball downfield.
Rodgers has done a good job of taking what the defense has given him. But he explained why the deep ball hasn’t been a part of the Steelers’ offense.
“It’s easy playing [against] Cover 2,” Rodgers said. “Playing Cover 2, there’s not gonna be a ton of big shots down the field. Until we get them in one-high, it’s gonna be precision passing short of the sticks… There’s not going to be a lot of shots open down the boundary. So, we’re just trying to be efficient.”
Although Rodgers believes the opposing team’s defense is why the deep ball hasn’t been effective, it also could be due to the receiver core.
If the Steelers do make a move for Shaheed, it could open up the deep ball and make Pittsburgh’s offense that much better.
Mike Tomlin Sees Areas For Improvement on Offense
Although the Steelers are off to a good start, head coach Mike Tomlin believes the offense needs to improve.
Tomlin believes the Steelers’ offense has had some moments, but he believes it could be better.
“All areas, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin admitted. “We’ve had some good moments. We’ve had some moments that aren’t good. We’ve got to keep pushing, and we’d better win along the way.”
Pittsburgh is averaging just 24 points per game, and the Steelers are atop the AFC North. But, despite every other team losing in the division, Tomlin doesn’t care as he’s just focused on his team.
“I don’t care what happened with other people, particularly last weekend,” Tomlin said. “It’s about us coming off the bye and getting ready for our game this week. I’m not a big-picture guy.”
Pittsburgh hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
