Patriots add veteran running back Hassan Haskins ahead of preseason opener, waive rookie
A veteran of 44 NFL games arrived in Foxborough on the eve of the preseason opener.
The New England Patriots announced the signing of running back Hassan Haskins on Wednesday. To make room for the familiar free agent, the organization waived rookie rusher Myles Montgomery with an injury designation.
Haskins, 26, entered the league with the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 draft at pick No. 131 overall. The former first-team All-Big Ten selection did so after amassing 2,495 yards and 30 touchdowns from scrimmage at Michigan. He would overlap with head coach Mike Vrabel, running backs coach Tony Dews, vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden and additional members of the current staff during his stint in Nashville. And leading up to the league’s cutdown deadline in 2024, Haskins was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers and fellow Wolverines product Jim Harbaugh.
Staying in the AFC West through the 2025 campaign, Haskins stands with 76 carries for 229 yards, 18 catches for 119 yards, three touchdowns and one start in his NFL career. Logging 30 tackles, the 6-foot-2, 228-pound back has seen 371 snaps on offense and 683 snaps on special teams. He now joins an August ground game that includes Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison and Jam Miller.
The corresponding move would come in the backfield.
Montgomery, 23, agreed to terms with the Patriots as part of the club’s undrafted class in May. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back spent three years at Cincinnati before transferring to Central Florida for his final two years of eligibility. An eventual team captain for the Knights, he played in 41 games altogether during his collegiate career while rushing for 1,546 yards and 11 touchdowns across 274 carries.
As a result of the injury designation, Montgomery is on track to revert to New England’s injured reserve for the remainder of 2026, barring a settlement. That follow-up transaction would cross the wire after clearing waivers.
The preseason gets underway with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday.