Patriots say fumble-prone Stevenson won’t start against Dolphins

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said the team is making a change at running back after Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled in each of the first four games.

“I’ve had a conversation with Rhamondre and he’s not going to start,” Mayo said on the “Patriots All-Access” TV show that aired Friday night. “…I will be frank and transparent. But he will play. And he understands that he must protect football in the future.”

Five-year veteran Antonio Gibson is expected to start in place of Stevenson as the Patriots (1-3) host the Miami Dolphins (1-3) on Sunday.

Mayo had hinted at the change earlier in the week.

“We can’t preach that ball security is job security and he’s still out there most of the time,” Mayo said. “I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are some things we just can’t do to win, especially with the team we have today.”

Stevenson, 6-foot, 227 pounds, started the first four games, playing 159 snaps and totaling 267 yards on 65 carries (4.1-yard average) and two touchdowns. He also has nine receptions for 34 yards. But he fumbled in each of the first two games, with the Patriots recovering both, and lost fumbles in the last two.

The 6-foot, 228-pound Gibson was the top backup, playing 71 snaps and totaling 29 carries for 155 yards, while adding seven receptions for 82 yards.

Stevenson was preparing for the change earlier in the week.

“I’m very hard on myself,” he told ESPN. “I’m more disappointed in myself than anyone could ever be. It’s very simple: I just have to keep the ball and have that mentality to come back with the ball every time. It’s my job to do that do it and I did it.” I’m not doing it well.”