Training camp season brings its usual mix of excitement and anxiety across the NFL, but the New England Patriots are dealing with something more serious than typical roster shuffling. Mike Reiss has been tracking developments at Gillette Stadium, where what started as routine position battles has turned into a legitimate crisis in the running back room in Mike Vrabel’s team.

The Patriots’ backfield looked solid just days ago. Rhamondre Stevenson dominated Friday’s preseason opener before mysteriously vanishing from practice sessions. The veteran rusher hasn’t been seen on the field since that strong performance. Stevenson’s Monday absence from Patriots practice raises red flags about his standing with Mike Vrabel. The veteran back has been battling issues all camp, starting with

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