FOXBOROUGH – TreVeyon Henderson electrified the crowd at Gillette Stadium during his NFL preseason debut, receiving the kickoff from the south end zone right on the goal line. In a flash of speed reminiscent of a lightning bolt, the rookie running back dashed 100 yards for a touchdown, instantly igniting the Patriots' preseason opener against the Washington Commanders. This remarkable play not only showcased Henderson's extraordinary talent but also set the tone for an exciting evening for the New England Patriots.
Henderson, selected in the second round of the draft, has been a standout athlete throughout the offseason, consistently demonstrating his speed on the practice fields in Foxborough. Whether in pads or not, it was evident that he moved differently from his peers. His opening kickoff return had everyone inside the stadium on their feet, including his teammates. “That’s big time, and that’s a hell of a run for that to be your first touch in the league,” said Commanders' player Antonio Gibson. “Shout out to him. That was something special.”
Rhamondre Stevenson, another key player on the Patriots' roster, expressed his excitement, saying, “It was crazy. Exciting. He lit us all up. He had some speed on that one.” Drake Maye, the Patriots' quarterback, added, “Man, he’s like a lightning bolt. He saw a crease and knew he was gone. Pretty cool, the first time he touched the football, it’s a touchdown.”
TreVeyon Henderson's performance was not just a fluke; it was a demonstration of the potential impact he could have this season. The 22-year-old rookie played with the starting offense and rotated with Stevenson during the first drives of the game. In those two drives, Henderson was instrumental in moving the ball and creating scoring opportunities. “This is something as a little kid I’d be dreaming about, to be in this position, to be given this opportunity and so I’m thankful,” Henderson remarked. “I’m trying my best to take advantage of every opportunity I get. Man, it’s amazing to be here.”
During the game, Maye completed 3-of-5 passes for 12 yards, with all three completions going to Henderson. His speed was on full display as he gained 18 yards on a toss to the left side of the field on the first play of the second drive. Commanders linebacker Dominique Hampton could only grasp at Henderson's facemask as he sprinted past, resulting in a 15-yard penalty for the Commanders, adding to the Patriots' momentum. Following this, Maye connected with Henderson again on a screen pass, resulting in a 9-yard gain that set up a first-and-goal situation.
Henderson’s contributions were crucial in leading to a touchdown just a few plays later when Maye scored on a 5-yard run. Gibson praised Henderson’s abilities, stating, “He’s explosive, fast. He works hard. He’s smart. He does it all. To have somebody on the team like that, it’s always a plus.” The Patriots’ decision to draft Henderson with the 38th overall pick reflects their confidence in his potential to add a much-needed game-breaking ability to their offense.
With depth at the running back position featuring Stevenson and Gibson, the Patriots are now equipped with a powerful trio. Gibson nearly scored on a kickoff return himself, running 62 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the 29-yard line, which set up another touchdown for New England. He finished the night with 26 rushing yards on six carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt, while Stevenson led the team with 36 rushing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. “I feel like we all do things a little different and we all pick little things from each other’s games,” Stevenson noted, emphasizing the collaborative effort among the running backs.
As the Patriots prepare for the upcoming season, the addition of TreVeyon Henderson promises to make life easier for their quarterback and poses a challenge for opposing defenses. “I think it’s tough on the defense. They all can make you miss. They can run over you. They can catch balls out of the backfield,” Maye explained of the trio of running backs. “It’s going to be challenging for us on when to use ‘em, how to use ‘em, getting ‘em the ball. Got to get those guys open in space. They’re great football players.” With such talent on the roster, the Patriots are poised for a competitive season ahead.
