TreVeyon Henderson’s big plays provide silver lining in Patriots loss to Bills
FOXBORO — Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson might have entered the offensive rookie of the year conversation with his performance Sunday against the Bills.
Henderson single-handedly kept the Patriots in Sunday’s 35-31 loss with a 65-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. It was his second 50-plus-yard rushing touchdown of the game and his fourth on the season.
Henderson now has 143 rushing attempts for 773 yards and seven touchdowns. He’a also added 34 catches for 212 yards and one touchdown through the air as he’s improved throughout the year.
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He credited his two long runs with becoming more comfortable as a pro.
“I think the biggest thing, just over time, just being able to get more opportunities and go up against the best of the best each and every week,” Henderson said. “It’s been helping me a lot just grow. And we have a great running backs coach, as well, who disciplines us really well, and he’s been helping me to grow as well, not just on the field, but even off the field.”
Henderson carried the ball 14 times for 148 yards and the two touchdowns on Sunday. He also caught two passes for 13 yards.
“I thought we had a good plan. I thought our coaches had a good plan and did a great job,” head coach Mike Vrabel said.
The Ohio State product was clocked at 21.25 MPH by NextGenStats on his 65-yard run. Out in front of him was Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who was running 20.58 MPH, as a lead blocker.
Henderson’s reaction to seeing his quarterback running in front of him and leading the way? “I love Drake Maye.”
Maye heaped plenty of praise on his rookie running back, as well.
“Just get him in space,” Maye said after the game. “He’s tough to tackle. He’s got good vision. He’s fast. He can make one cut and he’s gone. And he probably would have outran them if I wasn’t down there. So, he’s a great player for us. And we’ve just got to continue to make more plays to come out with a W.”
