Patriots place star player on season-ending IR to make room for new CB

The New England Patriots made a few roster moves on Wednesday ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. 

Rhamondre Stevenson has been missing from practice since suffering a high ankle sprain against the Chargers earlier this month. And they finally decided to place him on season-ending injured reserve with only two games remaining. 

In his spot, the Patriots claimed former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson off waivers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Stevenson had a breakout season in 2022, finishing with 210 carries for 1,040 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He had 69 receptions for 421 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. 

However this year has been a little more frustrating for the running back. He finished with 156 carries for 619 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He also had 38 receptions for 238 total yards and no receiving touchdowns across 12 games. 

Now it will be Ezekiel Elliott who will fill in as the top running back on the depth chart, with Kevin Harris right behind him. 

As for Wilson, the Patriots were in need of some depth at cornerback after they waived Jack Jones and placed J.C. Jackson on the reserve/non-football illness list. 

Wilson was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and is currently in the third year of his rookie deal. He entered the season as Arizona's top cornerback on the roster, but has not played a defensive snap in the past four games.