Multiple Stars Return to Practice for New England Patriots

The New England Patriots offense should be near full strength for their Week 15 showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers returned to pactice Friday, opening the door for them to play on Sunday.

Good news for the Patriots today: Rhamondre Stevenson, Jakobi Meyers, and Jack Jones all returned to practice today. pic.twitter.com/EKX4z3aWhD
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 16, 2022

Meyers missed last week's 27-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals with a concussion. Stevenson exited in the first half of the game with an ankle injury. He logged four touches for 10 yards on 13 snaps before his departure.

Stevenson and Meyers lead the Patriots in rushing and receiving, so their availability is crucial for a 7-6 Patriots squad trying to stay alive for a Wildcard berth. The Patriots face their former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this week. Now the head coach of the Raiders, McDaniels beat the Patriots once before in his previous, wildly unsuccessful stint as head coach. In a 2009 Week 5 matchup, McDaniels' Denver Broncos topped Bill Belichick's Patriots 20-17 in overtime. It was one of only 11 wins he managed before being fired.

Stevenson joined the Patriots as their 120th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as a hard-hitting runner with surprising value as a pass catcher; he leads the Patriots in rushing and catches this year. Meyers entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and quickly endeared himself to the Patriots. He has caught 218 balls for 2547 yards in his four seasons with the team. He led the Patriots in receiving in 2020 and 2021.