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Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, during the first pre-season game of the season against the Washington Commanders on August 8, 2025.

The New England Patriots‘ running back room may be looking very promising after some flash plays from new acquisition, TreVeyon Henderson, made some splash plays in his pre-season debut on Friday.

However, the team have lost another of their depth options to injury at the running back position, Deneric Prince, who was waived with an injury designation – per Mike Reiss.

Further context: The Patriots waived RB Deneric Prince with an injury designation. https://t.co/lxkJro7Z70

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1955379535605563414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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Running Back, Deneric Prince Released With Injury Designation

Prince has been somewhat of a journeyman in the league since with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2023. He spent his rookie year on the Chiefs’ practice squad before being released at the end of final roster cuts in August 2024.

Since then, he spent some time on the Miami Dolphins‘ practice squad before playing for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL this past spring – and subsequently signing with the Patriots on Sunday.

Yet just two days later, on Tuesday, Prince’s short stint with New England has come to an end.

And in exchange – also per Reiss, the team signed undrafted rookie, Shane Watts, who most recently played for Fort Hays State University.

Follow-up Patriots transaction:

🏈 RB Shane Watts signed

🏈 RB Deneric Prince released (before taking the field for practice)

NOTE: Watts is listed at 5-foot-9, 195 pounds. At Division II Fort Hayes State, he was a DB for two seasons before switching to RB. https://t.co/Nz8vBE9oSO

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Watts is new to the position, as Reiss noted above, but his contribution to the team was substantial – particularly considering his relatively novelty to the role. Watts managed 17 total touchdowns last season, with 13 of them being on the ground, en route to making the All-American second-team.

What Does The Patriots’ Running Back Room Look Like?

The Patriots’ concerns of the state of the running back extend greater than the switch from Prince to Watts. As Reiss noted on an earlier post, the team have been short numerous options on offense over the past couple of days, including projected RB1, Rhamondre Stevenson.

In recent days, the Patriots have seen their RB ranks thinned, as Rhamondre Stevenson hasn’t practiced since the preseason opener, Lan Larison (foot) was placed on IR, Terrell Jennings (possibly heat related) didn’t finish Monday, and newly-signed Deneric Prince wasn’t on field. https://t.co/6kfUhCwJd4

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Two of the team’s top four running backs, per their unofficial depth chart; Stevenson and 2024 UDFA, Terrell Jennings, have been missing from practice over the past couple of days, and Lan Larison just went to injured reserve.

It does not seem like the Stevenson injury is hugely severe, given that no update has been issued by the team on his status – but mentally there is a chance that New England goes into the regular season short in the RB department.

Perhaps, if needed, Shane Watts can contribute earlier than expected.

Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas