The Running Back Gamble
The Patriots head into Thursday night in Cleveland without their top stars, and the stakes could not be higher for the players left on the field. Head coach Mike Vrabel made the reasoning clear when he said, “I do not think we have a very deep team, so I think we have to make sure that we are preparing our football team and that we are doing everything that we can to keep our best players available.” With Drake Maye and the regulars sitting out, the spotlight shifts entirely to the backups fighting for their jobs.
The injury bug has hit the backfield hard, leaving Hassan Haskins as the primary option. Lan Larison and Jam Miller were in and out of practice before TreVeyon Henderson suffered a foot and ankle injury on Monday. While Larison returned in a red non-contact jersey, his availability remains unknown. This mess means Haskins will likely carry a heavy workload to prove he deserves the third running back spot. He looks like the favorite, but the game is the only thing that matters now.
The Rookie Wall and the Wide Receiver Mix
First-round pick Caleb Lomu has faced an inconsistent summer while cross-training at both tackle spots. He has struggled in preseason action, which is a major concern for a team that needs to protect its young quarterback. According to Pats Pulpit, the rookie has had trouble when the game gets physical, and Thursday is his last chance to fix those issues before the final roster is cut.
On the other side of the ball, the wide receiver room is taking shape after the Kayshon Boutte trade. Second-year players Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III likely do not need to do much more. The real battle is for the practice squad spots after John Jiles was released and Jeremiah Webb landed on injured reserve. Nick DeGennaro stands out as the leading candidate after catching the game-winning touchdown last week. Cameron Dorner and Kyle Dixon also have a shot based on their size and ability to create separation.
Blocking and the Final Cut
Tight end Tanner Arkin has seen his strong start slow down as he takes on fullback duties. He has struggled as a lead blocker in game action, which is a problem for a team missing Julian Hill. Pats Pulpit notes that Arkin needs to show more in-line blocking, a strength he had at Illinois, to stay on the roster.
The team must decide who makes the cut as the deadline approaches. Vrabel explained the coaching approach for these young players, stating, “When you come in at this time — didn’t have the spring — we do a lot on defense, right, and so you get a young player like that, we’re just getting them lined up.” The focus is on basics like knowing the defense and being in the right position. As Vrabel added, “Getting them lined up, know the defense, do your job, be in the right position. When he starts mastering that now you got to start working [on everything else].”
The final roster will take shape after this game, and the margin for error is gone.
