UPDATE: Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumble issues have resurfaced at a critical moment for the New England Patriots. Just moments after New England recovered a fumbled snap from the Buffalo Bills, Stevenson faced a devastating setback with his third fumble of the season during yesterday’s game.
This incident occurred following a 7-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye to Stevenson. The veteran running back was stripped of the ball by linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing the Bills to recover at their own 38-yard line. The Patriots, who have relied heavily on Stevenson, now face renewed concerns over his ball security.
Stevenson’s fumbling issues have been an ongoing problem; he lost two fumbles in the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and fumbled six times last season. After the game, head coach Mike Vrabel expressed his commitment to keeping Stevenson in the lineup, stating, “We need him. We absolutely need him.”
“You see what he was able to do for us last week, his ability to make some plays. We’ll just have to look at the technique and we’ll have to look at the ball security, but we’re going to need him,” Vrabel added.
Despite Vrabel’s support, Stevenson himself acknowledged the gravity of his situation, saying, “I appreciate it. But I have to hold onto the ball to have value and put value on the ball. If I can’t hold the ball, then they don’t need me.” His self-reflection highlights the pressure he faces as the team struggles.
Following Stevenson’s fumble, Antonio Gibson took over the next drive but Stevenson returned shortly after for a passing play, indicating his importance to the offense remains high. NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth revealed that he recently spoke with Vrabel about Stevenson’s issues, noting, “He said it’s not an issue yet, but if it continues, I’ll have to think about it.”
As the Patriots prepare for their upcoming games, the focus will be on Stevenson’s ability to improve his ball security. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can turn this situation around and reclaim his role as a key contributor for the team.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent situation as the Patriots look to stabilize their season amidst these challenges.