Patriots should get two key offensive pieces back in Cincinnati

Sidelined for the past three weeks with a toe injury, Rhamondre Stevenson is likely ready to return this weekend in Cincinnati.

The running back was given the questionable designation, but after an encouraging week of practice, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel expects to have him available against the Bengals.

“I would say there wasn’t many restrictions and that he responded well to the practice,” Vrabel said. “I would say that as long as there are not any setbacks here, he’d be in line to play.”

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte wasn’t given a designation, so he’ll certainly be active after missing back-to-back games. Boutte was in the midst of a breakout year before a hamstring injury slowed him down — 23 catches, 431 yards, five touchdowns — and Vrabel spoke highly about how he’s impacted the offense.

“He’s a calming — he’s got a different personality. There’s a calmness to him and I appreciate that," Vrabel said. “There’s confidence with the quarterback. If it’s contested catch, he’s shown the ability to do that. Strong at the catch point with DBs that are going to be on-body.

“It was good to see him execute early in the year. We’ve talked about some of the five-minute (offense) stuff, staying in bounds, and being somebody that is reliable.”

While Boutte is likely to slot right back into his previous role, it’ll be fascinating to see what Stevenson’s workload is like in Cincinnati. In the veteran’s absence, rookie TreVeyon Henderson took over the lead back role and ran well.

In New England’s first eight games, Stevenson ran for 279 yards on 83 carries and scored three touchdowns, but fumbles were once again an early-season issue, as the veteran back put the ball on the turf three times.

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