FOXBORO — The Patriots will have to face the Falcons without their most versatile running back.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson was ruled out Friday with a toe injury after missing practice all week. That leaves the Patriots with rookie TreVeyon Henderson, Terrell Jennings and practice-squad elevation D’Ernest Johnson.
Johnson, 29, signed Wednesday but is the Patriots’ most experienced running back available in Week 9. He’s rushed for nearly 1,000 rushing yards and caught nearly 500 receiving yards in his NFL career.
Henderson has spent the first eight weeks of the season as the Patriots’ No. 2 running back. He should take on a bigger role with Stevenson out, but we’ll see if Jennings and Johnson pick up the slack.
Here’s the full list of Patriots inactives:
QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third QB)
RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe)
OL Caedan Wallace
DT Eric Gregory
OLB Caleb Murphy
S John Saunders Jr.
Some notes:
• DeVito can only enter Sunday’s game if Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs both suffer injuries. He would have to leave the game if either quarterback was cleared.
• The Patriots will have Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams available at wide receiver.
• Wallace and Gregory have yet to be active this season. Behind left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Jared Wilson, center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses, the Patriots will have backup tackles Vederian Lowe and Marcus Bryant and guard/center Ben Brown. The Patriots will go five deep at defensive tackle with Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer and Cory Durden.
• Murphy was claimed off waivers last Monday. The Patriots will have Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder and Anfernee Jennings available on the edge. Williams and linebacker Jahlani Tavai can also align on the edge. The Patriots dealt defensive end Keion White to the 49ers this week.
• Saunders was signed off the Dolphins’ practice squad Thursday. The Patriots have four safeties available after trading Kyle Dugger to the Steelers: Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler.
