The New England Patriots are still cutting toward 53, but they also just added a running back who could change the shape of that room.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that New England sent a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Corey Kiner, a second-year back who looks like a strong bet to stick as the Patriots’ third option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Kiner, 24, entered the league last season as an undrafted rookie with the 49ers and spent last year with Arizona. He appeared in four games, rushing for 58 yards on 12 carries and adding 22 yards on kick returns.
Given where he sat on the Cardinals’ depth chart, he was probably headed for a cut this weekend. Instead, the Patriots stepped in before waivers could get involved - and New England holds the 31st waiver claim spot.
That timing matters because the Patriots’ running back picture had been murky all summer. Jam Miller, Lan Larison, JaMycal Hasty and Hassan Haskins were all in the mix for the RB3 job, and each had moments in camp. But no one clearly separated from the pack.
Kiner brings a different profile into the equation. The 5-foot-9 back carried 39 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns this summer for Arizona, and he also showed some wiggle in the preseason, forcing nine missed tackles. He added five catches for 28 yards, which fits the kind of work New England often asks of its third running back.
There’s also a possible opening for more work sooner rather than later. Henderson’s ankle injury, suffered last week in practice, could keep him limited, and if that lingers, Kiner may see a bigger role earlier than expected.
The move also undercuts the idea that New England might get by with only two backs on the 53-man roster. In a recent projection, the Patriots were set to keep just Stevenson and Henderson, with the rest of the group cycling back to the practice squad. With Kiner now in the building, that outlook looks shaky.
As of now, the Patriots have 76 players on the roster and must get to 53 by Sunday at 6 p.m.
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