New England Patriots - NESN.com
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ahead of their matchup on Sunday.
“He is a hard tackle,” Ulbrich said on Wednesday, via Carlos A. Lopez. “Being with the New York Jets and playing him twice a year, he felt to me like Marshawn Lynch 2.0, tough, rugged, physical. We’re gonna have to play our most physical game.”
Stevenson is a power runner who can wear down defenses over time, which is critical late in games when the Patriots are trying to run out the clock.
However, Ulbrich might not have to worry about facing the 27-year-old running back this Sunday.
Stevenson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a toe injury, which could keep him out of Sunday’s game. With three days left before kickoff, his availability could still change, but if he can’t play, TreVeyon Henderson could step into the spotlight.
Henderson finally delivered a standout performance last week against the Cleveland Browns, rushing 10 times for 75 yards in his best game of the season.
If Stevenson is unable to play, Atlanta’s defense will still face a tough challenge in trying to stop Henderson and neutralize quarterback Drake Maye.
