Patriots Head to Munich Short at Running Back as Stevenson, Henderson Injuries Pile Up

The New England Patriots could take the field in Munich on Sunday with almost none of the backfield they planned on. Rhamondre Stevenson has a knee tendon problem, and TreVeyon Henderson has already been ruled out against the Detroit Lions. That would leave Corey Kiner as the likeliest lead back, according to NBC Sports' Week 10 injury roundup.

Stevenson was hurt late in the third quarter of the 45-27 loss to Green Bay, when he was twisted down after a 6-yard catch with New England already trailing 42-14. A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that surgery is not expected, but the injury could cost him "a short period of time." Stevenson has 26 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver this season, and coach Mike Vrabel has pointed to his pass protection as central to how the offense works.

Henderson's status was settled Wednesday. Yahoo Sports, citing ESPN's Mike Reiss, reported that the second-year back is out with the illness that sidelined him against Green Bay and earlier required a hospital stay. Cornerback Carlton Davis III and interior lineman Ben Brown, both with knee injuries, were also ruled out. Walter Rouse, who replaced Brown at left guard against the Packers, is in the concussion protocol. If Stevenson can't play, the depth chart behind Kiner runs to Lan Larison, with Terrell Jennings on the practice squad.

The receiver room has a little better news. A.J. Brown, who has missed the last two games with a knee flare-up, is traveling to Germany, NBC Sports reported. Romeo Doubs stays on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. With Brown out in Week 9, the snaps and routes went to DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins, and none of them has produced consistently.

What it means for Detroit

New England is 5-4 and has lost two of its last three. The 45 points Green Bay scored were the most the defense has allowed this season, more than the 35 in the loss at Jacksonville. The Patriots have outscored opponents by only four points overall, 211 to 207, and they are 2-3 away from Foxborough. That makes a neutral-site game abroad, with a thin backfield and a missing starting corner, a hard assignment against a Detroit offense that can score quickly.

The board for the game lists the Lions as the home team, and they are favored. On Novig, one of 12 venues tracked, Detroit is -141 on the moneyline and New England is +138. The Lions are favored by 2.5 there, with the Patriots at +113 to cover. The best Patriots number anywhere is Pinnacle's +3 at -113, so the venues differ by half a point on the spread, and that half-point puts the key number of three in play. The total also differs by half a point: Novig has 51.5 (over +108), and FanDuel has the best over at 50.5 (-115). Sportsbook hold runs from 3.0% to 5.5% on the spread and from 4.3% to 5.3% on the total.

The market still has this game close. If Kiner is the primary ball carrier, though, the Patriots will have to beat Detroit through the air, and much of that depends on whether Brown is ready to play.