Larison makes his case
FOXBORO — After a quiet start to the summer, Patriots running back Lan Larison made the most of his second preseason opportunity, helping New England edge the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
The 2025 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis finished with nine carries for 33 yards, a rushing touchdown, and three receptions for 41 yards. It was a sharp turnaround from the preseason opener against the Colts, where he carried seven times for just one yard. Head coach Mike Vrabel took notice.
"I felt like Lan certainly had a good performance, a gritty, tough performance tonight, and did some really good things," Vrabel said.
Larison's night was highlighted by a pivotal sequence in the third quarter. With the Patriots facing fourth-and-one from midfield, Vrabel opted to go for it, and Larison rewarded the decision by plunging forward for the first down despite being met by a wall of Eagles defenders. Later in the drive, on third-and-nine from the Eagles' 12-yard line, Larison took a handoff off the left side for a 10-yard gain, then scored on the next play.
Larison credited his offensive line for the performance.
"It wasn't all just me, it was the line as well, and the team," he said.
Running back competition tightens
The performance adds another layer to the Patriots' running back competition, with the third spot seemingly up for grabs. Jam Miller led all running backs with 36 yards on 11 carries, while Hassan Haskins added 16 yards on four carries. JaMycal Hasty managed just 12 yards on five attempts, a stat line that sports analyst noted as underwhelming compared to his fellow backs.
All four running backs are expected to see action in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, which could prove decisive for the roster battle.
Other risers and fallers
Wide receiver Nick DeGennaro also boosted his stock, catching the game-winning 37-yard touchdown and finishing with four receptions on five targets for 61 yards.
On the defensive side, cornerback Kindle Vildor had a would-be interception wiped out by a penalty but broke up two passes on the night.
Not everyone fared as well. Linebacker Chad Muma turned in two poor preseason performances and appeared to suffer an injury in the final minute of Saturday's game, potentially complicating his bid for a roster spot. Offensive lineman James Hudson III was flagged for holding twice on the first drive, though one was declined.
What's next
With the preseason finale against the Browns on the horizon, Larison's gritty outing may have solidified his standing in the running back pecking order. Vrabel's willingness to trust him in key situations—both on fourth down and in obvious passing situations—offers a clear signal of the coaching staff's confidence.