The New England Patriots are staring down a huge question for their final running back spot, and it’s all coming down to a classic battle: do they want a Swiss Army knife or a sledgehammer? Lan Larison and Hassan Haskins are the leading candidates for that third back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, and they could not be more different as Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns looms.
Larison recently delivered the strongest argument for himself, ripping off 128 all-purpose yards in the Patriots’ 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Talk about making a statement! He also punched in a fourth-quarter touchdown and converted a crucial fourth-and-1 play. Head Coach Mike Vrabel, a guy who doesn’t throw around praise lightly, gave Larison a huge nod, calling it a “gritty, tough performance.” For Vrabel to use “tough” like that? Yeah, that’s a five-star review right there. Larison’s receiving ability really separates him too. He snagged six passes for 38 yards in the preseason opener against Indianapolis, even salvaging a rough rushing night where he gained just one yard on seven carries.
This kind of versatility isn’t a fluke either. Larison put up some monster numbers in college at UC Davis, catching 127 passes for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns. His final season was record-breaking with 2,387 all-purpose yards, and he finished with 6,504 career all-purpose yards. Plus, he’s been handling kickoff and punt-return duties in camp. On the other side, Haskins gives them a more traditional power option. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound back is built to run between the tackles and take a beating in short-yardage situations. He’s only got four carries for 16 yards this preseason, but his size could really complement Henderson’s speed and receiving ability, which are already bringing a dynamic element to that backfield.
Injuries to Terrell Jennings and Myles Montgomery opened up this competition, and while Jam Miller and JaMycal Hasty are still on the roster, it sure feels like Larison has all the momentum right now. Thursday is the final exam. Larison has a chance to solidify his case, proving that his Eagles performance wasn’t a one-off. Haskins, meanwhile, can completely change the conversation by showing New England absolutely needs his power and reliability. We know Stevenson and Henderson are leading the charge, but the identity of that third running back is still a huge question mark. It’s versatility against raw power, a Swiss Army knife versus a sledgehammer. Who ya got?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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