(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- TreVeyon Henderson knows not to fumble when the Patriots call his number.

That was the case late-night Monday, when Super Bowl LX starting quarterback Drake Maye brought Henderson into a player entourage heading to In-N-Out Burger -- a West Coast staple known for greasy cheeseburgers and other fast-food finds -- for a quick bite.

'I've had In-N-Out less than five times in my life,' Henderson said Tuesday at the San Jose Convention Center of joining his fellow 23-year-old teammate for some grub. 'In-N-Out is good. Every time I come out to Cali, I have to make sure I go there. What makes it even better is they have the little Bible verse at the bottom of it, so I like it.'

The Ohio State rookie was the 38th pick in the 2025 draft. He made a huge splash and turned in memorable games -- 148 rushing yards and two TDs against the Bills in December, a three-TD game against the Jets.

But he became an afterthought in the AFC Championship at Denver with a season-low four total snaps in the snow. He played 45.8% of New England's total offensive plays in the regular season in a shared running back role with Rhamondre Stevenson. Henderson led the Patriots with 180 carries, 911 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. Stevenson had 130-603-7.

Stevenson said Henderson's approach and confidence are unchanged.

'He's always prepared. It's kind of a brotherly conversation between the two of us. 'How can we get each other better?'' Stevenson said.

Henderson, who also returned kickoffs in the regular season, led the NFL with four rushing touchdowns of 50-plus yards in 2025.

Stevenson spent time in head coach Mike Vrabel's doghouse earlier this season due to three lost fumbles.

But in the playoffs, Stevenson has 51 carries -- to Henderson's 24 -- for 194 yards and no touchdowns. His more physical, attacking, between-the-tackles style made him the natural choice on the soggy track at Denver.

Henderson's explosiveness might be needed against a Seattle front capable of clogging inside alleys. He's also the superior receiver of the two backs but inconsistency in pass protection might be one reason he's not getting many looks in the playoffs.

'(Vrabel) always tells us to prepare as a starter,' Henderson said, adding he does still participate in kickoff returns in practice. 'I'm not first on the depth chart -- we still get reps in practice. I'm still preparing as a starter.'

When pressed about Henderson's declining role last month, Vrabel wouldn't point specifically to the proverbial 'rookie wall,' a reference to the significant increase in the length and volume of practices and games during the NFL season compared to college football. But he did skim the edges of the topic for a potential cause for his reduced reps.

'We're always talking about the length of the season, what we need to do to continue, how the practices are and recovery,' Vrabel said. 'And mentally, the finish line is not going to move towards us. It's not going to move closer to us. We have to keep attacking.'

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media