Rhamondre Stevenson addressed restricted practices, load administration hypothesis

Patriots

“Truthfully, you have to ask Invoice Belichick. I do not know why.”

Rhamondre Stevenson clutched the white Gatorade-themed towel that was draped over his neck and pulled his palms aside from each other as he answered questions Wednesday concerning the Patriots’ apply plan for him.

Stevenson has been a restricted participant by way of many of the coaching camp to this point.

He has not seen many touches in scrimmages and has spent a good period of time conditioning whereas different backs are doing group drills. And he doesn’t look like injured.

Are the Patriots resting Stevenson now as a precaution, provided that he’ll most likely have a heavy workload going ahead?

“Similar to anyone else over 17-18 video games I’m going to be dinged up on the finish of the season, so I don’t suppose that was actually an enormous a part of it,” Stevenson mentioned. “They’re making an attempt to lower my workload. Truthfully, you’ve obtained to ask Invoice Belichick. I don’t know why.”

Stevenson had 210 speeding makes an attempt final yr, which is within the high half of the league amongst beginning working backs. It was his first time topping 200 speeding makes an attempt in a yr, and his first time taking part in all 17 regular-season video games.

And that was whereas the Patriots had him splitting carries with Damien Harris, who later signed with Buffalo within the offseason.

For now, the Patriots are counting on second-year backs Pierre Sturdy and Kevin Harris to again up Stevenson. However, their actions over the previous few weeks have proven that they’re out there so as to add a veteran working again after bringing in Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott for visits.

Stevenson mentioned he’s been a fan of Elliott’s recreation since he was in faculty and nonetheless feels that method.

“I’m assured in our room proper now,” Stevenson mentioned. “But when someone else is available in, we’re simply going to see if he can work as onerous as us and simply maintain the prepare transferring.”

Stevenson mentioned he’s “itching” to get extra reps pads on, however goes together with the teaching employees’s plan for him.

“All these guys right here, all of the coaches, all of the employees, have been within the league method longer than I’ve,” Stevenson mentioned. “So no matter they are saying, I simply take it, do what they are saying, and take it and run with it.”