Patriots Need to Prioritize TreVeyon Henderson’s Health

If the New England Patriots want to go far in the playoffs next month, they'll need to make some important decisions when it comes down to rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Now that's not to say that the Patriots won't be able to suceed with the running backs they have in the room right now. Starter Rhamondre Stevenson has seemingly avoided his early-season fumbling issues to be a productive in-line runner, while backup D'Ernest Johnson is more than capable of filling in if needed.

But Henderson is the engineer that makes this running attack operate at such a high level. Whether it's zone runs off tackle, or being a willing pass blocker for his quarterback, Henderson has become ultra-valuable for New England during this 12-3 season.

After suffering what looked like a severe head injury last week in Baltimore, the rookie donned the red non-contact uniform at practice before being upgraded from limited participation to questionable for this week's game against the New York Jets.

The Patriots Need To Be Careful With TreVeyon Henderson

So should he even play against the Jets? Is it even worth it?

"They wanted to be out there, they go to college and they want to be out there, and then they go to the NFL and they want to be out there," Vrabel said earlier in the week about players wanting to return from injury. "You only get one opportunity a week. It means a lot to them. Love for guys to find ways in as opposed to looking for ways out. But then, sometimes that's not always the case. They can't go in there. So, we appreciate everyone that makes an effort to finish the game or get to the game, whatever that may be and whatever capacity that they can help us. So, I think that's just what they – it's all they know."

The Jets are sitting, once again, in the basement of the AFC East, and the Patriots are just two wins away from capturing their first division title in years. The Patriots are heavy favorites against New York this week, but are more than capable of beating them by multiple scores -- with or without Henderson.