The New England Patriots have a significant concern in their backfield as they prepare for the start of the 2026 season. TreVeyon Henderson remains sidelined from practice while recovering from an ankle injury.
Henderson was not present for the portion of Saturday's practice open to the media, according to reports covering the team. The running back has not practiced since suffering the injury on Aug. 24, just days before New England's opener against the Seattle Seahawks. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Will TreVeyon Henderson play against Seattle?
His availability is currently one of the biggest situations to watch in New England. The Patriots still need to issue their official injury report, but Henderson's absence from multiple practices makes the situation increasingly uncertain.
The running back suffered an ankle issue during practice on Aug. 24. Initial reports indicated that the injury was not considered serious and that he was expected to have a chance to be ready for the start of the season.
However, continuing to miss practice with only days remaining before the game changes the level of uncertainty surrounding his status.
Henderson is an important part of the offense
The Patriots selected Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he made a strong impact during his rookie season.
In 17 games, Henderson recorded 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries. He also added 35 receptions for 221 yards and one receiving touchdown. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
His speed and ability to create explosive plays make him an important piece of an offense looking to start the season strongly.
Rhamondre Stevenson could see a bigger role
If Henderson is unavailable or receives a limited workload, Rhamondre Stevenson could take on a larger role in New England's rushing attack.
The situation could also create opportunities for other running backs on the roster. However, losing Henderson or limiting his workload would change the distribution of carries the Patriots had projected before the season.
New England's priority will be determining whether Henderson can return to practice without creating additional risk for his ankle.
A special matchup for New England
The Patriots' opener carries an additional storyline: they will face the Seattle Seahawks in the first game of the season for both teams, in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Seattle. The NFL has confirmed the matchup as the game that will open the 2026 season. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
That makes every significant absence especially important to New England's game plan from the opening week of the campaign.
The next update will be crucial
The key development now will be the Patriots' official injury report. It will provide a clearer indication of whether Henderson is limited, a non-participant, questionable or assigned another status ahead of the game.
Until then, there is no confirmation that he will miss the game. However, his extended absence from practice is a warning sign the team will need to monitor closely.
TreVeyon Henderson remains sidelined and his availability for the Patriots' opener against Seattle is becoming an increasingly important question. The next reports will be critical in determining whether he is ready for Week 1. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}