RhamondreStevenson

News: 12 hours agoStevenson carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards and a touchdown and caught all three of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 45-17 rout of the Raiders.

Spin: There was some question whether Stevenson would even be active for this one after a knee issue limited his practice participation during the week, but the veteran was the clear top option in the Patriots' backfield after TreVeyon Henderson (38 scrimmage yards on five touches) departed with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Stevenson's longest gain went for 20 yards en route to a season high in rushing yards, and he punched in a five-yard TD in the first quarter that put New England in the lead for good at 14-7. Stevenson will look to keep rolling in a Week 6 tilt against the Jets, and he could shoulder a particularly heavy workload if Henderson is unable to suit up in that contest.

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 still very much in the mix, Stevenson, who has one top-20 fantasy campaign to his name, is a low-upside bench option.