Patriots Rookie TreVeyon Henderson Struggles in Unexpected Area originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
TreVeyon Henderson's pass-protection struggles are becoming a concern for the New England Patriots, especially considering it was viewed as one of his strengths coming out of college.
The Patriots selected Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the potential for him to contribute as a runner, receiver and blocker. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein even described Henderson as potentially the best pass-protecting running back in his draft class.
That assessment makes his latest performance particularly concerning.
TreVeyon Henderson got an 8.6 grade in pass pro tonight. 8.6 out of 100. Was also the worst graded Patriot on offense. Completely unplayable in passing situations. https://t.co/YoixTXvACs
— Savage (@Savageboston) October 23, 2026
Henderson received an 8.6 out of 100 grade in pass protection during Thursday night's 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, according to a grade shared after the game. He also was the lowest-graded Patriots offensive player.
The rookie finished with three carries for nine yards and caught both of his targets for 14 yards. It was a quiet night overall, but his struggles as a blocker could have a greater impact on his opportunities moving forward.
Pass Protection Could Limit Henderson's Opportunities
Henderson's explosiveness was a major part of his appeal coming out of Ohio State. He led the Patriots in touches, scrimmage yards and touchdowns during his rookie season, establishing himself as a player capable of making an impact in multiple ways.
However, running backs must offer more than big-play potential to earn consistent playing time. Their ability to recognize pressure and protect the quarterback is especially important on passing downs.
Henderson's latest grade raises questions about how reliably he can handle that responsibility. If the Patriots cannot trust him to hold up in pass protection, it could become more difficult to keep him on the field when defenses expect Drake Maye to throw.
That is a difficult situation for New England to navigate with a young player who has already demonstrated his ability to create explosive plays.
Rhamondre Stevenson Has Taken Over the Backfield
Henderson's struggles come as Rhamondre Stevenson continues to handle the majority of the Patriots' backfield work.
Stevenson played 69% of the offensive snaps against Chicago, while Henderson played 24%. Henderson also had his lowest rushing total of the season, finishing with nine yards on three attempts.
The rookie reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 5 and has continued playing through the injury. That could be affecting his performance, though the extent of any impact remains unclear.
New England still has reason to find ways to use Henderson's speed and playmaking ability. But improving in pass protection would give the second-year running back a better chance to contribute in more situations.
For a player whose pre-draft evaluation highlighted his blocking as a potential strength, turning that part of his game into a reliable asset could be key to earning more opportunities in the Patriots' offense.