NFL Notebook: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) expected to play, WR DeVante Parker out (knee)
Matt Corral placed on the exemption list for leaving the team, Hunter Henry named captain
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Eagles, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Wide receiver DeVante Parker, who had been listed as questionable all week with a knee injury, is not expected to suit up and play, Rapoport added.
Stevenson missed Friday’s practice due to illness, be he was able to attend team meetings.
The third year running back had a breakout season last year, rushing for 1,040 yards with five touchdowns. He also caught 69 passes for 421 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Stevenson is expected to play a major role in the season opener along side free agent acquisition Ezekiel Elliott. The Patriots have also elevated running back Ty Montgomery from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
Parker absence will be noticeable, but the Patriots will rely on JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.
With Parker out, Bourne should see the most opportunities as Mac Jones No. 1 receiver. Fans can expect Jones to feed Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki the football to balance out the offense.
Matt Corral placed on exempt/left list, team looking to connect with quarterback
The Patriots signed Bailey Zappe off the practice squad and placed Matt Corral on the exempt/left list on Saturday.
Corral was absent from Friday’s practice was listed on the injury report with a non-football related injury. With Corral on the exempt/left list, the team opened a roster spot without formally releasing the quarterback.
According to FOX insider Henry McKenna, the Patriots are “concerned” for Corral, due to him suddenly leaving the team. One source told McKenna, that the team wants to ensure he is okay and not dealing with a mental health issue.
‘I’m going to just still be who I am’: Hunter Henry named team captain
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry was named one of the team’s six captains ahead of Sunday’s home opener.
“I’m going to just still be who I am and just try to be as consistent as I can,” Henry told reporters Friday. “Maybe stepping up and talking a little bit more, maybe a little bit more vocal. But, at the same time, I feel like I’ve been that way anyways.”
Henry is new to the captain group this season, it’s the first time he was named a captain since he was with the Chargers back in 2020.
The 28-year-old is entering his third season with the Patriots and he continues to grow under head coach Bill Belichick.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot, this place has challenged me in a lot of ways,” Henry said. “When I first got here, I might have been a little uncomfortable in a way, and I think [New England] pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in a lot of ways, and it was for the better.”
Henry joins Mac Jones, David Andrews, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Matthew Slater to complete the group of captains.
“I think it’s a really good group, proud of the guys that the team selected,” Belichick said.
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