Josh McDaniels explains TreVeyon Henderson’s limited snaps

TreVeyon Henderson was arguably the star of the Patriots’ coaching camp and preseason slate, with the 2025 second-round select of Ohio State wanting like a dynamic playmaker on what was as soon as a listless New England offense. 

In fact, the Patriots’ offense has taken a serious step ahead to this point this fall — particularly with Drake Maye hitting his stride as one of many prime younger QBs within the recreation.

However the identical can’t be stated about Henderson, who has struggled to seek out any kind of traction to this point within the NFL ranks.

By his first seven video games with the Patriots, Henderson has recorded 43 carries for 153 yards and 16 receptions for 99 yards. Even with one landing below his belt, Henderson is just averaging 3.6 yards per carry — whereas rating 62nd out of 63 certified operating backs with only a 13.1 pass-blocking grade, per PFF. 

Throughout Sunday’s win over the Titans, Henderson logged simply 9 whole snaps — ending with 5 speeding yards off of two carries. 

However talking on Thursday at Gillette Stadium, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels deemed Henderson’s drop in reps as extra “circumstantial” than an indictment of Henderson’s spot on the depth chart.

“Runners get right into a rhythm,” McDaniels stated. “And typically that occurs. I do know TreVeyon has led us in carries in different video games, and definitely Rhamondre [Stevenson] did final week. So, there’s nothing particular. I believe all these guys are persevering with to work actually onerous. They play an lively position in us bettering ourselves within the operating recreation. 

“All people needs to level out this block or that block, or what have you ever. There’s a learn component to it, and there’s a cohesion that has to exist between the blockers and the runner. So, I believe our runners are persevering with to actually work onerous at that, assembly along with the blokes up entrance. I imply, that’s the best way you get higher. So count on all these guys — I believed Terrell [Jennings] went in there and did some good issues on the finish, too. So, persevering with to count on the runners to be productive.”

As McDaniels famous, Henderson’s reps had been seemingly destined to dip after Stevenson opened New England’s first drive in Nashville with 42 yards off of simply 5 carries. Stevenson completed the sport with 88 yards off of 18 carries (4.9 yards per carry), whereas Maye additionally scrambled for 62 yards off of eight carries. 

Henderson will look to get again on observe Sunday in opposition to the Browns, with the 23-year-old operating again set to match up in opposition to his former Ohio State teammate — Cleveland operating again Quinshon Judkins. 

Regardless of his early rookie struggles, Henderson told NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry that he isn’t fretting over his utilization to this point this yr.

“Truthfully, I’m fairly understanding,” he stated. “I’m grateful for what God put me via final yr, having one other operating again within the room final yr, having to play alongside him. It was nice. However it actually matured me and helped me develop as a person of God. I really feel like what God put me via final yr ready me for this yr. 

“I’m understanding. Particularly simply in relation to this [Titans] recreation. Rhamondre had the recent hand, so why cease him? Hold feeding him and let him hold going. I’m glad for the best way that he performed, and no matter comes my method, I’m simply grateful and I simply attempt my greatest to make the most of it.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.