Patriots Replace One Undrafted Free Agent with Another on Sunday
The New England Patriots made another preseason roster adjustment on Sunday, swapping one undrafted free agent for another as they continue to fine-tune their lineup ahead of the regular season.
Rookie running back Lan Larison, a promising undrafted signee out of UC Davis, was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in his preseason debut. Larison had shown flashes of potential, rushing for 35 yards and a touchdown while adding nine receiving yards in limited action. Unfortunately, the injury requires surgery, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.
To fill the vacancy, the Patriots signed running back Deneric Prince, a 25-year-old who has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins practice squads, as well as the UFL’s Memphis Showboats. Known for his speed and power, Prince will get an immediate chance to compete for a depth role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
The Patriots also released rookie safety Josh Minkins, another undrafted free agent who impressed during rookie minicamp but found himself the odd man out in this latest shuffle. Minkins’ departure opens space for the team’s second new signing, defensive end Jereme Robinson. The 25-year-old Robinson, a former Kansas standout with 98 tackles and 14 sacks in college, was recently waived by the Chicago Bears.
These moves highlight the constant churn of NFL training camps, where injuries, performance, and positional needs can shift the roster landscape quickly. For Prince and Robinson, this is an opportunity to prove themselves in upcoming practices and preseason action. For Larison and Minkins, it’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
With joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings on the horizon, the Patriots will keep evaluating their depth, hoping these changes strengthen their push toward the regular season.
