Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles: Patriots RB's history of turnovers continues in Week 5 vs. Bills

Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles: Patriots RB's history of turnovers continues in Week 5 vs. Bills originally appeared on The Sporting News

Rhamondre Stevenson has proven himself as a reliable dual-threat running back over his five-year career. But since the start of the 2024 season, he can't help himself out.

The New England Patriots running back has been plagued with fumbling problems for over a year now, losing the football fairly often. In fact, he was tied for 14th in the NFL in 2024 in total fumbles, per The Football Database, with seven.

Still, Stevenson continues to earn opportunities for New England, particularly due to his receiving outlook. In Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills though, Stevenson forked over the ball once again in the first quarter -- and with Antonio Gibson and TreyVeyon Henderson being two more talented options in the backfield, Stevenson's turnover issues could result in a decreased workload.

Gibson also fumbled against the Bills, losing the ball on a kick return.

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Here's a look at Stevenson's fumbling issues between 2024 and 2025, and an updated look at New England's running back depth chart.

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Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles 2025

Sunday's first-quarter fumble for Stevenson was already his third lost football of the 2025 season, through five games played. That put him in the NFL lead among running backs this season, per StatMuse. Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard and Kyren Williams have all lost two fumbles so far.

Stevenson's fumble against Buffalo did come in a scoreless game as both teams struggled to keep the football, but it was yet another chapter of his turnover issues.

Annnd Rhamondre Stevenson gives it right back with his own fumble. pic.twitter.com/UOuYJlqjPp

— Throwback Pats (@ThrowbackPATS) October 6, 2025

Gibson then fumbled later on a kick return, and he was injured on the play.

#Patriots fumble on the kickoff, but recover the football. RB Antonio Gibson is now being checked out for an injury after being flipped over. He hurt his right knee. pic.twitter.com/4v7Jctj40N

— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) October 6, 2025

This season, Stevenson also lost two fumbles against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In total, he's fumbled three times and lost all three.

.@ColeHolcomb_ ON THAT 💪

📺: #PITvsNE on @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/oupgdT8fEo

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 21, 2025

Vrabel still gave Stevenson a vote of confidence after that game, saying "we need him."

#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on Rhamondre Stevenson who fumbled twice:

“We absolutely need him… We need his ability, but we also need to take care of the football… I’m not really sure what we’re gonna do… He helped us win a game last week and it was different story today.” pic.twitter.com/C3YjOL2OFf

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) September 21, 2025

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Rhamondre Stevenson career fumbles

Stevenson's fumbling is far from a new problem. He's been with the Patriots since 2021, including a 1,040-rushing-yard 2022 season, but his ball security issues began in 2024.

After just three lost fumbles over his first three NFL seasons, Stevenson coughed the ball over six total times in 2024, losing three of them. Those three lost fumbles were tied for the most among all running backs in the 2024 season with Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs, per StatMuse.

Add Stevenson's fumbles between 2024 and 2025, and his six total lost fumbles are the most among NFL running backs. His 10 total fumbles are also the most among running backs.

Here's a look at Stevenson's career fumbling numbers:

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Patriots RB depth chart

No. 1: Rhamondre Stevenson

The Patriots' backfield is one of the true three-way splits in the NFL. All three running backs on the depth chart have seen significant snaps this season, but Stevenson has been the starter. Even with his history of fumbling, Mike Vrabel has stuck by his veteran in the backfield.

While Stevenson's third lost fumble on Sunday night could change things, his dual-threat skills are valuable in New England's offense. He has at least 600 rushing and 100 receiving yards in all four of his full NFL seasons, with 125 rushing and 141 receiving through four games in 2025.

Stevenson's 2024 fumbles didn't seem to cause him to lose his RB1 role in New England, so for now, there's still no reasons to think Vrabel will move his top back to the bench. Still, the more Stevenson loses the football, the more likely it becomes that the Patriots begin to feed other options.

No. 2: TreVeyon Henderson

The Patriots drafted Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but they have yet to truly unleash the rookie out of Ohio State.  

Through four games, Henderson has seen 26 carries for 97 yards, both numbers that fall behind Stevenson thus far. Still, Henderson has found the end zone once and added in 87 receiving yards.

New England loves its dual-threat running backs, and Henderson has proved capable of that production. He hasn't yet emerged into the No. 1 role some expected of him, but the rookie should continue to factor in more as the season goes on — especially if Stevenson and Gibson can't secure the ball.

No. 3: Antonio Gibson

Gibson is another veteran in the backfield, now in his sixth NFL season and second with the Patriots. The former Commander has primarily been a backup option, but in the Patriots' three-headed backfield he's played a significant role for a No. 3.

Heading into Week 5, Gibson had 85 rushing yards and one touchdown so far this season. He's not likely to ever return to his early-career numbers (11 touchdowns in 2020, 1,037 rushing yards in 2021), but Gibson remains a solid option and should continue to see time for New England. 

Like Stevenson though, fumbles could become a bad trend for Gibson. He had already lost one this season prior to the kickoff return fumble.