New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is dealing with "a lot of challenges" as he recovers from an illness that has kept him away from the team, according to ESPN insider Mike Reiss.
During an appearance on the Boston radio show “Toucher & Hardy,” Reiss, who covers the Patriots for ESPN, indicated that Henderson has faced significant adversity throughout his career and personal life this year. This includes an ankle injury sustained during the preseason, which caused him to miss the Patriots' Week 1 game, followed by another ankle injury later in the season.
"My view from being around the team this year has had a lot of adversity for him," Reiss stated on the podcast. "He had the ankle injury [during the preseason] that he didn’t play in Week 1 [New England’s 13-10 loss to Seattle]. Then [he] had another ankle injury [sustained in the Patriots’ Oct. 11 victory over the Raiders] and he came back faster than many had thought."
Reiss suggested that these setbacks, combined with limited playing time, may be contributing to Henderson's current situation. "I think the limited play time, add all of that up, I think there has been a lot of challenges for him maybe that he hasn’t faced in his young life and career. To me, that all might be tied to what he is managing."
Henderson was absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness, the same reason he missed the Patriots’ Week 8 game against the Miami Dolphins. He did not travel with the team to Miami for that contest. It remains uncertain whether he will be available for the Patriots' upcoming home game against the Green Bay Packers.
With Henderson sidelined, veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson has seen an increased workload for the Patriots.
Henderson, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has experienced a difficult second season. In six games played this year, he has recorded 52 carries for 203 yards and one touchdown, with five receptions for 45 yards. His performance in the Patriots’ Oct. 11 game against the Chicago Bears saw him with only three carries for nine yards across 13 offensive snaps.
On October 25, Henderson shared a message on Instagram reflecting on his faith, writing, "In life, I struggle, I suffer, I’m tempted, I’m tested, sometimes I feel so weak. But when I am weak, I am strong. Because Christ, He is my hope, He is my strength, He is a firm foundation that never fails. Jesus is worthy of it all."