ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports that Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson is “the clear-cut starter.”

06 September 2026

Stevenson’s position on the depth chart has been apparent for some time, but Reiss helpfully states it in plain terms after rhetorically asking how the Patriots will handle in-game running back reps if RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) cannot play in Week 1 against the Seahawks on Wednesday night. That said, if Henderson is unable to play, Stevenson will likely take on a larger-than-normal workload, with RB Corey Kiner and practice squad members RB Lan Larison and/or RB Hassan Haskins serving as his in-house touch competition. Although the Seahawks field a top-tier run defense, Stevenson can be treated as a high-end RB2 if Henderson is out, thanks to his hefty workload.