Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson Not Spotted at Practice

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2 weeks ago at 1:35 pm ET

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Some surprising news coming out of Gillette Stadium after running back Rhamondre Stevenson was among players missing from practice on Friday.

Stevenson has not appeared on the club’s injury report ahead of Friday’s session, which definitely makes his absence a little puzzling.

Ezekiel Elliott would be the Patriots’ top option if Stevenson can’t play, which would certainly make things challenging for Bill Belichick’s team against what will likely be a tough Eagles defense. He was signed to be a compliment to Stevenson and to help balance his workload while giving the Patriots another dynamic back on their depth chart. Having him be the club’s lone option with just practice squad players Kevin Harris and Ty Montgomery behind him would definitely be less than ideal.

However, according to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, despite the absence, Stevenson is expected to play on Sunday and Kyed suggested that the running back’s absence could simply be for the sake of trying to manage his workload.

Nevertheless, until Stevenson takes the field Sunday, this latest news will definitely be something everyone will be keeping an eye on ahead of kickoff.

(UPDATE 2:53pm ET: According to MASSLIVE’s Karen Guregian, the veteran RB is dealing with a “stomach bug” and is expected to be ready to go for Sunday’s opener against the Eagles.)