Report: Patriots Placing Rookie Running Back On Injured Reserve

The New England Patriots reportedly lost an early-summer standout following their preseason opener.

According to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, the Patriots are placing Lan Larison on the injured list. The rookie running back went to the locker room after scoring a two-yard touchdown in Friday’s 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders and was later seen wearing a walking boot.

New England will fill Larison’s spot by signing Deneric Prince, per Kyed.

It’s a devastating development for Larison, who signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of UC Davis. New England gave the FCS program’s record-holder in all-purpose yards $175,000 in guaranteed money, a heftier investment than most of the team’s other UDFAs.

Before Larison signed, UC Davis head coach Tim Plough compared his former star player to ex-Patriots backs Rex Burkhead, Danny Woodhead and Kevin Faulk. The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Larison posed potential as a physical runner and adept pass-catcher for an organization that has often optimized that skill set.

Larison was fighting for a roster spot in a Patriots backfield featuring Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson. The 23-year-old will reportedly miss his entire rookie season instead.

New England reportedly signed Prince, an undrafted free agent who played two games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. The former Texas A&M and Tulsa back spent last season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad before playing for the UFL’s Memphis Showboats earlier this year.