New England Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson Ankle Sprain: Status For Thursday vs. Pittsburgh Steelers?

The New England Patriots will be without one of their best offensive players for the short-term future.

As if life wasn't difficult enough for the New England Patriots' offense, they will now be without one of their few remaining weapons for the near future.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and is expected to miss "a few weeks." With only five games left, it wouldn't be too surprising if Stevenson is out for the rest of the year.

Tests showed that Patriots’ RB Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain and he now is expected to miss, in the words of a source, “a few weeks.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2023

Stevenson, 25, is New England's leading rusher this season with 619 yards and four touchdowns while averaging four yards per attempt. He has also been a notable contributor in the passing game, catching 38 passes for 238 yards.

After a slow start to the season, Stevenson has really picked up the pace the last few weeks, recording at least 87 rushing yards in each of the last three games before the Chargers contest on Sunday. He was on pace for another solid showing against L.A. with nine carries for 39 yards, but the injury in the first half ended his day prematurely.

Trainers attend to Stevenson after his injury in Sunday's game / USA TODAY SPORTS

A former fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, Stevenson has been one of the bright spots for a struggling New England offense over the past couple of years. He was coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2022, accounting for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns.

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With Stevenson out of the lineup, New England will now turn to first-year Patriot Ezekiel Elliott, a two-time rushing champion with the Dallas Cowboys. Elliott, 28, has had an up-and-down first season for the Patriots, rushing for 428 yards and two touchdowns on 3.8 yards per carry. However, Elliott was also limited in Monday's practice, so it remains to be seen how effective he can truly be.

The Patriots will begin life without Stevenson in what's sure to be a defensive struggle against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

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