Patriots place RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on IR

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson's season ended Wednesday, as he was placed on injured reserve because of a sprained right ankle.

Stevenson has missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain after being tackled by Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu in the first quarter of Los Angeles' 6-0 victory on Dec. 3. Tuipulotu also recovered Stevenson's fumble on the play.

Stevenson, 25, started the first 12 games of the season for the Patriots, rushing 156 times for 619 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 4.0 yards per attempt and 51.6 per game.

He also caught 38 passes for 238 yards.

The Patriots selected Stevenson in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. For his career, Stevenson has 499 rushing attempts for 2,265 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also has 121 receptions for 782 yards and one TD.

Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, 28, has started three games in place of Stevenson. Elliott has 549 yards and two touchdowns on 157 carries in 15 games this season.

In another move Wednesday, the Patriots signed tight end La'Michael Pettway to the practice squad.

New England (4-11) has two games remaining. It faces the Buffalo Bills on Sunday before wrapping up its season against the New York Jets on Jan. 7.