FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The first time TreVeyon Henderson touched the ball in an NFL game, he went nearly untouched by anyone else.
The New England rookie running back erupted for a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, helping power the Patriots to a 48-18 exhibition win over the Washington Commanders on Friday night.
“I was surprised myself,” Henderson said. “Then when I saw the crease, it was on from there.”
Henderson, a second-round pick out of Ohio State who starred for Hopewell High in Virginia, also had an 18-yard run. Quarterback Drake Maye added a 5-yard TD run and completed 3 of 5 passes for 12 yards, with a fumble, in two series. It was a promising glimpse of a new-look Patriots offense under new coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as he begins his latest New England tenure.
DJ James intercepted a pass by Washington quarterback Sam Hartman, and former Commanders running back Antonio Gibson added a 62-yard punt return that set up a 2-yard TD run Patriots by backup quarterback Josh Dobbs.
“It was a good start,” Vrabel said.
Jeremy McNichols had a touchdown run for the Commanders. Hartman completed 9 of 19 passes for 64 yards. Josh Johnson played throughout the second half and was 15 of 22 for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
As much as the points excited New England’s home crowd on a night that began with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Tom Brady, it came with the caveat that most of the Patriots’ offensive fireworks were against the Commanders’ backups.
Coming of a 12-5 finish and a run to the NFC championship game in his first season with Washington, Commanders coach Dan Quinn took a cautious approach, resting 30 players — including his projected starters and several veterans.
The list included starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (didn’t travel, leg strain) and receiver Deebo Samuels on offense. Cornerback Marcus Lattimore and linebackers Von Miller and Bobby Wagner were among those who sat on defense.
But Washington got its first game looks at rookie offensive lineman Josh Conerly, cornerback Trey Amos, former Virginia Tech receiver Jaylin Lane, linebacker Kain Medrano and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who all dressed.
Amos and Medrano both had some early tackles, but it was mostly a sluggish outing for the Commanders’ understudies, who were penalized 13 times for 98 yards. New England was whistled for two penalties for 15 yards.
“All three phases, I thought it was sloppy tonight,” Quinn said. “… That did not make me happy.”
Injuries
Commanders: Cornerback Bobby Price, who played for Catholic High and Norfolk State, left the game in the final minute of the first half after hitting his head as he crashed to the ground defending a pass. … Defensive tackle Viliami Fehoko walked off on his own power with a lower-body issue in the third quarter.
Patriots: WR Ja’Lynn Polk went to the medical tent and then the locker room shortly after a run in the second quarter.
Bad decision
While Maye was mostly poised in his limited action, it wasn’t spotless.
Facing third-and-7 on the Patriots’ first series, Maye was flushed out of the pocket and grabbed from behind by defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.
But instead of taking the sack, Maye attempted to throw at the last moment and lost the ball as he was dragged to the turf. It was recovered by defensive end Jacob Martin.
“I’ve got to do my part protecting the football,” Maye said. “Can’t do that.”
Dropped
Hartman led the Commanders into the red zone for the first time late in the second quarter.
It was third-and-3 on the 19 when KJ Osbourn got a step on Alex Austin. Hartman placed a catchable pass over the receiver’s shoulder, but Osbourn bobbled it and it fell incomplete.
Up next
Commanders: Host Cincinnati on Aug. 18.
Patriots: At Minnesota Aug. 16
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