Patriots playing it safe with standout RB

According to a report by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the 25-year-old has spent three of the team's first seven training camp sessions "away from the majority of his teammates working on a side field conditioning."

Stevenson was the focal point of a weak Patriots offense in 2022, recording the sixth-most touches (279) by a New England player in a single season since Bill Belichick took over in 2000, per Kyed's report. He was on the field for 66% of the team's offensive snaps (699) and led the group by a significant margin in rushing attempts (210) and rushing yards (1,040), while pacing the Patriots with his five rushing scores as well.

Stevenson even led New England in receptions (69) and was second in targets (88).

The Oklahoma product slowed down a bit towards the end of the year, as he followed up his career day of 172 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 14 with three consecutive lackluster efforts. Stevenson combined for just 126 scoreless yards via 27 carries and nine catches for 40 yards on 15 targets in the last three games of the season.

Despite the cutback on his reps through the early part of training camp, Stevenson said that he trusts the decision-makers.

"All these guys, all the coaches, the staff have been in the league for way longer than I have," he said. "So, whatever they say, I just take it and do what they say and just take it with a grain of salt.”

The Patriots lack running back depth behind Stevenson, as the projected backup is 30-year-old veteran Ty Montgomery, who was injured during the first week of training camp and has been seen working on conditioning the last two days, according to Kyed. Former starter Damien Harris signed with the Buffalo Bills in March.

After Montgomery is 2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong, though New England has either had discussions with or hosted notable free agent backs like Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette.