The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are heading into their highly anticipated
New England will be without running back TreVeyon Henderson, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury. Henderson, the team's primary backup to starter Rhamondre Stevenson, sustained the injury during practice on August 24 after slipping during a running play. His absence is a notable blow for the Patriots, given his productive campaign last season, where he recorded 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the first player in franchise history to log four runs or rushing touchdowns of at least 50 yards in a single season.
Seahawks Grapple with Safety Shortage
The defending champions face even more pressing issues in their secondary. The Seahawks have officially ruled out safety Ty Okada due to a hamstring injury, and fellow defensive back Nick Emmanwori is listed as questionable. Emmanwori, who underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery in July, has been limited throughout the week, and indications suggest he is unlikely to feature in the opener.
The injury situation at safety has been exacerbated by a string of setbacks. The team previously lost rookie Bud Clark to a season-ending ankle fracture during the preseason. With Coby Bryant having departed for the Chicago Bears in free agency, the Seahawks are now forced to look toward their practice squad, with Rodney Thomas II and AJ Finley emerging as potential candidates for elevation.
For the Patriots, the focus shifts to managing their backfield depth. Alongside starter Rhamondre Stevenson and recent acquisition Corey Kiner, the team is expected to look to the practice squad for support, with Lan Larison and Hassan Haskins identified as potential options to fill the void left by Henderson. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have also listed wide receiver Tory Horton as questionable with a hamstring issue, further complicating their preparations for the season-opening rematch.
