RhamondreStevenson

News: 3 days agoStevenson didn't play in a preseason loss to the Browns on Thursday.

Spin: The Patriots rested their projected regular-season starters Thursday, so Stevenson's absence was par for the course. He didn't see any game action during the preseason slate but appears back to full health after dealing with a minor undisclosed injury in late July. Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, who is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to be ready for Week 1, are slated to share backfield duties for New England during the upcoming campaign.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Stevenson will battle with second-year back TreVeyon Henderson for touches in the New England backfield. The duo shared the backfield at times last season, but it was the veteran Stevenson who usually operated as the lead back. He earned the role, ranking fifth among backs in forced missed tackle rate, per PFF, second in yards after contact (2.82) and first in yards per target (9.1). Stevenson, who is entering his sixth season, did miss three games (he has missed time three seasons in a row), and his overall volume was limited (9.3 carries and 2.7 targets per game), which led to a 25th-place finish in fantasy points. Now 28 years old and with Henderson likely to play a larger role, Stevenson, who has one top-20 fantasy campaign to his name, is a low-upside bench option.