The Patriots’ backfield has been hit hard enough that adding help feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Treveyon Henderson is out indefinitely because of neurological problems, and Rhamondre Stevenson was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, leaving New England thin at a spot that was already under pressure.
That’s why Najee Harris has emerged as a logical name to watch. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton floated him as a possible fit in New England, and the case is easy to see: Harris could step in right away while Stevenson and Henderson are sidelined, then settle into a rotational role once they return.
Harris is still available after being released by the New York Giants in October, and that alone suggests the Patriots might not have to pay much to get him. He still has not signed with another team, which points to a limited market and opens the door for New England to bring him in on a bargain.
There’s also the question of fit, and that’s where the appeal gets stronger. Mike Vrabel has a reputation for getting more out of his players, and Harris brings a profile the Patriots could use.
He has the size to run downhill, but there’s still some shiftiness in his game, which could make him a useful complement to the backs already in the room. A split workload with Corey Kiner until Stevenson and Henderson are healthy would give the Patriots immediate depth and give Harris a chance to reclaim a larger role.
A healthy version of this backfield would give New England more options. Stevenson, Henderson, and Harris together would ease the burden on Drake Maye and let the offense lean more on the run game instead of asking Maye to carry everything.
Harris’ production earlier in his career is part of what keeps him interesting. At his peak, he was a true RB1 and opened his NFL run with four straight 1000-yard seasons. Lately, he may have lost a step, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still help in the right situation.
That’s especially true if New England uses him in a more defined role. At 6’1, 242 lbs, Harris still has the frame to be a punishing goal-line back. In the right package, with an extra offensive lineman and a jumbo look near the end zone, he could be a tough matchup.
For the Patriots, the idea is simple: if Harris can be had at a team-friendly price, he could be worth a workout at the very least. With injuries piling up, this is not a roster that can afford to ignore available talent.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Face A Bigger Problem Than Just The Lions
The Patriots head into Week 10 at 5-4 with more on their mind than just trying to slow down the Lions. After a rough defensive showing against the Packers, the focus inside the building has shifted to tightening up the details and finding a better rhythm across all three phases, especially as injuries and roster churn continue to test the depth chart.
DeMario Douglas said the sideline needs more energy and cohesion, a reminder that New England cannot afford to drift into disconnected football if it wants to stay in the mix. The margin for error is shrinking, and the Patriots know the rest of the season will depend on whether they can pull together and start playing the kind of complementary football that keeps games within reach. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Offense Suddenly Has A Huge Munich Concern
The Patriots trip to Munich has picked up a little more uncertainty on the offensive side, with wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back Rhamondre Stevenson both landing on the injury report as questionable for Week 10 against the Lions. Brown is dealing with ankle and knee injuries after being limited in practice, while Stevenson is working through a knee issue of his own and was also limited. For a New England offense already trying to settle in on the road, the timing is less than ideal.
The team also ruled out three players and added several others to the questionable list, leaving the final game-day picture a bit murky as kickoff approaches. For the Patriots, the concern is not just who suits up, but how much of the offense they can count on if these key pieces are less than full strength in a game that already comes with the added wrinkle of playing in Munich. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Can't Risk This A.J. Brown Decision Again
A.J. Browns return to practice has given the Patriots a much-needed lift, even if it has not yet answered the biggest question surrounding him. The three-time All-Pro receiver has missed multiple games this season because of a high-ankle sprain and knee issues, and while he traveled with the team for its Week 10 game in Germany, his availability remains uncertain.
For New England, the temptation to push Brown back into action is obvious. He is the kind of difference-maker that can change the shape of an offense and help keep playoff hopes alive, but the Patriots also know how quickly one injury can turn into another if they rush him before he is ready. After all the time he has already missed, this is the sort of decision that could matter well beyond one game. [Read more 🡒]