Patriots Player Spotlight: TreVeyon Henderson gets first career touchdown

Joseph McLaughlin
Oct 3
3 min read

Photo Caption: Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson breaking a tackle against the Carolina Panthers on September 28, 2025. Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images.

Foxboro, MA — With 5:55 left on the clock in the second quarter, the New England Patriots threatened the visiting Carolina Panthers with a second and four from the Carolina five-yard line. The Patriots’ offense started the game slowly, falling behind the Panthers 6-0 early in the first quarter.

The offense only scored one touchdown with a Drake Maye rush to the endzone, making it 14-6. Before that, the only points the Pats put up on the board were from a punt return touchdown by Marcus Jones.

That all changed when Maye handed the ball off to rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. Barreling forward through multiple Panthers, broke through the goal line, and scored his first career touchdown in the NFL.

“It felt good,” Henderson said to Sports Illustrated’s Mike D’Abate postgame. “I want to thank God, it hasn’t been easy. He has been my strength and kept me focused. I am excited that we came out with a win. I’ve got to give credit to the offensive line. They have been working so hard. I am really thankful.”

Henderson had a solid performance, rushing seven times for 32 yards and a touchdown. He served as a great compliment to both Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the running game, who combined for three rushing touchdowns.

After the touchdown, Henderson was buried under several Panthers and nearly lost a valuable item: the game ball. Thankfully, his teammate and team captain, Hunter Henry, found the ball and secured it for him.

“There’s a lot going on in the game … sometimes you don’t know exactly who the back was, and I was like looking at who it was and I was like, I think that’s TreVeyon,” Henry said postgame to Sports Illustrated. “And I thought, I’m almost positive that’s his first touchdown. So, honestly, I was trying to grab the ball just to make sure…you’re first touchdown is huge in this league. It is hard to score, so a pretty special moment for him.”

The rookie out of Ohio State has found his place in the Patriots’ running game, which has been second to the Patriots’ passing game with Drake Maye, but is still effective in the Patriots’ offense. Henderson has carried the ball 26 times for 97 yards this season and has played a solid role in a dynamic running back room.

“I think we all feed off each other. I think we are all healthy competitors in there. There is no egos in our room, so I think that's really what it is. We're all happy for one another. I hope to keep it going,” said Stevenson regarding his fellow backs.

Now New England finds itself at 2-2 with momentum on their side heading into a crucial primetime matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The matchup will be a true test for the Patriots to see where they measure up with the elite of the AFC, but the win against the Panthers gives the team some much-needed confidence moving into the Sunday night matchup.

“I think it creates momentum for us. We can't get too big-headed. Coach Vrabes (Mike Vrabel) does a good job keeping us focused, keeping us humbled, pushing us in practice each and every day. We got to continue to have a great week, great days of preparation to keep this thing going,” said Henderson.

The Patriots square off against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. in Buffalo, NY. Henderson and the Patriots’ running game hope to build off the momentum against the Panthers and give the undefeated Bills’ defense a tough time. It will be easier said than done, but the confidence of this running back group gives the Patriots some hope going into Sunday.