After four fumbles to open the season, Stevenson will begin New England’s Week 5 game on the bench.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s recent fumble issues have cost him his job as the New England Patriots’ starting running back, at least for a week.
After putting the ball on the ground four times over the first four games of the season, Stevenson will begin the Patriots’ Week 5 contest against the Miami Dolphins on the bench. Head coach Jerod Mayo made the decision public on a recent appearance on Patriots All Access.
“I had a conversation with Rhamondre. Quite frankly, this week he won’t be starting,” Mayo told host Scott Zolak.
The Patriots’ first-year head coach added that Stevenson would still see some action. With him beginning on the sideline, however, Antonio Gibson will be the first man up versus Miami.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2021, Stevenson developed into a productive player for the Patriots over the first three years of his career. As a consequence, the team signed him to a four-year, $36 million contract extension earlier this year.
However, Stevenson has started his 2024 campaign off on the wrong foot. While generally been productive — touching the ball 74 times for 301 yards and a pair of touchdowns — ball security has been a problem: he let go of the ball one time in every game so far this season, with the most recent two fumbles recovered by the opponent.
“He understands that he has to protect the football going forward,” said his head coach. “It’s a mentality at this point; it’s an awareness at this point. There is really not much more to do, technique or anything. It’s just knowing you’re a target on a week-after-week basis as soon as you’re showing that you’re going to put the ball on the ground.”
The Patriots’ game against their division rivals from Miami on Sunday is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.