Patriots Place Rookie Running Back On Injured Reserve, Sign Replacement

You’d have to look pretty hard to find a down side of the New England Patriots 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders in game one of the preseason. However, for one rookie fighting to make the roster, the news couldn’t be more devastating. Lan Larison, the undrafted rookie from UC Davis, has been placed on the injured reserve, according to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald.

Larison’s season is over before it even began. Larison handled much of the team’s backfield work in the last third of the game Friday night. He gained an impressive 35 yards on his seven carries, punching one in for a touchdown. The back also caught two passes for nine yards in his debut.

He was seen leaving the game early in the fourth quarter and later emerged from the locker room in a walking boot.

Larison will remain on his UDFA contract, a three-year agreement, still, it is devastating news for the rookie who put on a show in his first night in Foxboro.

Patriots Sign Deneric Prince To Fill Out Running Back Room

In a corresponding move, the Patriots have signed running back Deneric Prince.

Prince, like Larrison, was undrafted out of college. He spent the 2024 season trying to catch on with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he appeared in two games strictly in a special teams role. The back then made his way to South Beach where he served on the Miami Dolphins practice squad, but ultimately made his way to the UFL.

He gained 380 yards in 10 games with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats, punching in two touchdowns.

Prince has a lot to prove in New England, he will battle for a spot but I am considering him a long shot to make the final roster.

Door Open For Terrell Jennings

The unfortunate injury is the way things go in NFL training camps. When one door closes, a door opens for another young player trying to make his dream come true. That door has now opened for running back Terrell Jennings.

Jennings is a second year back who was in danger of losing his spot to the newcomer from UC Davis. In his rookie season, he appeared in three games, totalling 13 carries for 33 yards.

He is an undrafted FCS back, just like Larison. And like Larison, he had a lot to prove Friday night.

With a similar snap share, Jennings saw six carries. He turned those six carries into 19 yards with a long of seven, and found the end zone once early in the fourth quarter from one yard out.

According to PatsPulpit.com, Lan Larison saw the usage advantage playing 23; 36% of Friday’s snaps, but Terrell Jennings was right behind him with the second most in the room, appearing on 14; 22% of the offensive snaps from the night.

With a now more unclear favorite for running back four, I am interested to see the way this position battle plays out. With three running backs sure to be in the mix, it is likely the team will want to start the season with one in reserve. It’ll come down to Jennings, Prince, and JaMycal Hasty, whose years of special teams experience might give him the edge.