FOXBORO -- Rhamondre Stevenson was benched to start the Patriots' Week 5 clash with the Miami Dolphins because his fumbling issues over the first four weeks of the season. He wasn't on the bench for very long, and responded in a big way on just his second carry of the afternoon.

"I had a conversation with Rhamondre and, quite frankly, this week he won't be starting," Mayo told host Scott Zolak. "I'll be upfront and very transparent. But he will play. And he understands that he has to protect the football going forward.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is changing the role of running back Rhamondre Stevenson this week against Miami.