The New England Patriots made a series of transactions on the eve of their Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions, including placing running back TreVeyon Henderson on injured reserve. In addition, interior offensive lineman Greg Van Roten and fullback Reggie Gilliam were both activated from IR.
Furthermore, the Patriots decided to elevate interior offensive lineman Andrew Rupcich from the practice squad to the game day roster for Sunday.
Henderson, 24, has been sidelined since Oct. 29 due to an illness.
Earlier this month, he shared an update on his status on social media and explained that he had recently “experienced an unexpected and unusual medical emergency involving a series of unexplained neurological symptoms that required hospitalization for several days.”
A second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2025, the Ohio State product finished his rookie campaign with 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. His sophomore season, however, was a challenging one even before his recent illness: serving as the Patriots’ No. 2 behind Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson missed time due to two separate ankle injuries sustained in August and October, respectively, and as a consequence was limited to six games as well as 57 touches for 248 scrimmage yards and one touchdown.
With his move to IR freeing up a roster spot, the Patriots were able to activate two players.
Van Roten, 36, arrived in New England during preseason after an then-top backup interior offensive lineman Ben Brown suffered an injury. On his ninth different team since entering the NFL in 2012, he remained on the roster even after Brown’s return and was the first man up when right guard Mike Onwenu fractured his ankle in Week 2. Unfortunately for the veteran backup, he himself sustained a thigh injury in his first start the following week and subsequently had to be placed on injured reserve as well.
Gilliam, 29, signed a three-year, $10.8 million free agency contract with the Patriots in March. Taking over the fullback position upon his arrival, he played 58 offensive snaps and 32 on special teams over the first four weeks of the season; he caught one 4-yard pass along the way. Gilliam also sustained a knee injury at one point and in Week 4 against his former team, the Bills, added an ankle issue. That second injury prompted the Patriots to send him to IR a few days later.
Both Van Roten and Gilliam had previously returned to practice to open their 21-day return windows. Van Roten returned last week alongside Mack Hollins, but unlike the wide receiver was not activated ahead of last Sunday’s game against the Packers. Van Roten made his return to the practice fields before the Patriots boarded their flight to Germany on Wednesday.
The Patriots furthermore elevated the aforementioned Andrew Rupcich from the practice squad. With Van Roten only now returning, Ben Brown being ruled out of the game with a knee injury, and Walter Rouse questionable after entering concussion protocol this week, he provides experienced emergency depth up front.
The Patriots will take on the Lions at Munich’s Allianz Arena at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.
