The Patriots Made a Move That Raises Huge Trade Questions For Their Backfield

Lan Larison is OFFICIALLY on the Patriots’ 53-man roster, called up from the practice squad just ahead of their clash with the Miami Dolphins. This isn’t just a simple depth move, folks, especially with TreVeyon Henderson now confirmed out for the game due to illness, but it has some deep implications for the entire running back room.

Larison’s Promotion: Beyond a Quick Fix

Look, the Patriots went into this weekend with three running backs on the active roster, but with Henderson battling an illness that kept him out of practice all Thursday and Friday, they needed someone. Instead of just a temporary elevation, they went for the full 53-man promotion for Larison. Why? Because it’s a sustainable move. Larison had already been elevated once, meaning he only had two such elevations left, and one was guaranteed to be used this weekend. Now that he’s on the 53-man team, those limits? Gone. They add depth that isn’t temporary. The running back depth chart now looks like this: Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Corey Kiner (9), and Lan Larison (34) are all on the 53-man roster, with Myles Montgomery (39) on injured reserve for the season. This ain’t just a temporary patch for the Henderson absence; this is a permanent solution for some serious RB depth issues.

Kickoff Returns: A Quiet Opportunity?

You know the Patriots’ kickoff return game has been, well, lackluster. Heading into Week 8, they’re ranked 25th in the NFL in average kickoff return yards (24.9) and a dismal 27th in starting field position (28.5). Can Larison actually spark something in the return game? He averaged 24.5 yards on his two runbacks earlier this year, which is better than Kyle Williams’ 24.0 but a step below Corey Kiner’s 26.7. From that perspective, no massive spike should be expected. Still, his presence as an experienced runback option gives the team more flexibility. Not only could they mix things up if performance calls for it, but Larison also might help prevent exposing Kiner and Williams to extra contact. The team is getting quite thin at both running back and wide receiver, and they might need both of those guys on offense.

Trade Deadline Bombshell? Henderson’s Future in Question

But here’s the kicker, the real gut punch for some fans: this Larison move opens the door WIDE open for TreVeyon Henderson to be a trade candidate. We’re talking trade deadline looming on November 10th! So far, only defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been mentioned in trade talks for the Patriots. But now? With another running back on the 53-man roster, you have to ask if Henderson is on that list. There are definitely arguments for him being available, especially with his “rather uninspiring output” so far in his sophomore campaign. If Henderson isn’t showing significant growth in crucial areas, cutting ties early rather than late starts to make a lot of sense.

So, all eyes on the Dolphins game this weekend. Not just to see how Larison fits in, but for what it means heading into that November 10th trade deadline. Will Henderson be there after? This entire running back room just got infinitely more interesting.

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Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.