The upstart New England Patriots scored what was definitely their most exciting and impressive win of the season on Sunday, when they came back from an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, 28-24, on the road. But the inspiring win was also a costly one.
The Patriots now face the New York Jets on Sunday, followed by a second divisional game in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins. New England must take both victories to lock down their first AFC East title since 2019 and at least one guaranteed home playoff game. Winning both also gives the Patriots a decent shot at securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the much-needed bye week â plus home field throughout the playoffs â that goes with it.
To get the top seed, however, the Patriots would need help from either the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers. One of them must defeat the Denver Broncos, and if that happens along with two Patriots wins, New England grabs the No. 1 spot â for the first time since 2017.
Henderson Enters Concussion Protocol
But the Patriots will likely need to do it without rising star rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who, with 776 yards gained in his first 148 carries across 15 games, had an outside chance at a 1,000-yard NFL debut season.
On Monday, however, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel announced that Henderson had entered the NFL’s concussion protocol, seriously jeopardizing his chances of playing against the Jets.
According to a 2019 study of NFL players who have suffered a concussion in a Sunday game, only about one-third return to play the following week’s game. The median number of days missed â meaning that half of players missed more and half missed fewer â was nine, which of course would count Henderson out of Sunday’s contest at MetLife Stadium.
With the possibility in mind that Henderson may be out, the Patriots quickly made a move to acquire an experienced NFL running back.
New Signing Has Played in Super Bowl
According to the Patriots’ official transaction report, on Tuesday New England signed running back Elijah Mitchell to their practice squad. The 27-year-old Mitchell gives the Patriots additional depth in the backfield, but whether the 2021 San Francisco 49ers sixth-round draft pick out of Louisiana will be elevated to the 53-man roster has not been announced as of Wednesday.
“Mitchell, 27, spent his first three NFL seasons (2021-23) with the 49ers. He totaled 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 327 carries over 27 games in San Francisco,” according to a report by NBC Sports Boston. “In 2024, Mitchell was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.”
Mitchell also has Super Bowl experience, albeit in limited fashion, getting into Super Bowl 58 on February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In that game, his last with the 49ers, Mitchell handled the ball for two carries and eight yards in San Francisco’s narrow, 25-22 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mitchell Spent 2025 in KC
Before the 2025 season, the defending AFC champion Chiefs saw something in Mitchell, who was then a free agent, and signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Mitchell appeared in just one game, a Week 11 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. The running back saw only seven offensive snaps in that game without gaining a yard.
The Chiefs waited another month, then waived Mitchell on December 20. Three days later, the Patriots picked him up, giving them a running back who has already proven that he can perform at the NFL level as Henderson continues to recover from his concussion.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Patriots Sign Super Bowl-Tested RB Following TreVeyon Henderson Concussion appeared first on Heavy Sports.
