Patriots' RB3 Competition Gets Another Interesting Wrinkle Following Preseason Win

It seems like each week, a different New England Patriots running back sticks out from the rest of the pack.

After Jam Miller ran for 55 yards in the team's tie with the Indianapolis Colts, one might have expected to remain the top option when the Philadelphia Eagles came to town. Instead, it was second-year Lan Larison who stood up.

Larison ran the ball nine times for 33 yards, and added 41 yards on three receptions. His two-yard touchdown run gave the Patriots at 17-14 lead, which would eventually turn into a 24-21 win.

"I just gotta keep going," Larison said in the locker room postgame. "It wasn't all just me, it was the line as well, and the team. We competed really well tonight, and it was fun. It was a good time."

But Larison wasn't the lone back to get reps. Miller ran the ball 11 times for 36 yards, while Hassan Haskins added 16 yards (four carries) and JaMycal Hasty added 12 (five carries). There was reps for everyone fighting for that third spot, but it was Larison -- who struggled to run the ball in joint practices during the week -- who reclaimed the top rung of the "current leaders of the RB3 pack."

Larison Popped In Run, Pass Games

"I felt like Lan certainly had a good performance, a gritty, tough performance tonight, and did some really good things," head coach Mike Vrabel said when asked if anyone had distingished themselves behind starters Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jose Ramirez (43) tackles New England Patriots running back Lan Larison (34) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"It is fourth and one, and he gets hit behind the line of scrimmage and finds a way to get the first down. And then we have another long pass, and he makes, and then he is able to break a couple tackles there in third down when we needed it at the end of the game, so he did some good things."

Larison gave the credit to the line getting a good push on that fourth down converstion. He feels like he has his foot in both camps of being a veteran and a rookie (an injury sidelined him for the entire season last year).

But he's not alone in his chase for the 53-man roster, and while he might be walking out of the Eagles game as the potential frontrunner, there's still plenty of time to see where this thing goes. After all, Miller walked out of last week's tie in the same position.

Could Haskins Win The Gig Next Week?

Haskins is one name to keep watching out for. The veteran, who was drafted by Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans in 2022, was the top kick returner Saturday. He returned one kick for 18 yards and rotated in as the third option in the rushing attack.

"Whatever the coaches need me to do, I'm going to do it," Haskins said. "Special teams, win a ball, block, whatever. I'm going to give it my all and just do whatever it takes to win."

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito (16) hands off to running back Hassan Haskins (26) during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There are decisions to make when it comes to who deserves the spot. A lot of it will come down to who they feel like they won't lose on waivers should they cut one. If Haskins wins the job, and Miller/Larison get released with the plan to re-sign them to the practice squad, it's not a given that they don't get scooped up.

With the veteran Haskins, who doesn't need to go through waivers, that might be an easier decision to make.

Same goes for Hasty, who's spent time in New England every year since 2023. His versatility on special teams could help, but a fumble down the sideline allowed the Eagles to re-claim the lead in the fourth quarter.

At the end of the day, there's one more preseason game for these young running backs to try and punch their ticket to the roster. Last week, it was Miller. This week, Larison.

What will next week bring?

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