Patriots RB Lan Larison Makes Up for Lost Time in Preseason Game, Aims for Roster Spot originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Once considered a top-tier player coming out of college, Lan Larison aimed to impress the Patriots' front office during the offseason after an injury cut short his rookie season. Following preseason play, he may be on his way back to relevancy.
Larison was a standout in Thursday's preseason game against the Colts. He caught six passes for 38 yards and carried the ball seven times. It was the most work he’s seen in over a year, refreshing for the 24-year-old.
"Oh man, it was awesome just to be able to compete and show that I can do some stuff here," Larison told 98.5 The Sports Hub. "It's been a long time. So it was fun to come back.”
A two-time First-Team FCS All-American, Larison signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2025 following a run with UC Davis. Starting as a running back, he was ready to impress, but was forced to miss action after breaking his foot during a preseason game.
Larison went through several practices to get back into the swing of things, previously stating there would be quite an adjustment period. He focused on his strength and conditioning and was determined to come back stronger.
“He worked really hard to work through the injury,” coach Mike Vrabel said via SB Nation. “Mentally, he’s not a rookie… Half the battle for the [running backs] is being able to identify where the pressure’s coming from, what the [offense’s] blitz pickup is… So, he’s done a good job with that.”
The running back position in New England has been shared with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. There was an opening for a third RB after Antonio Gibson was released. Larison has worked with Stevenson and Henderson and was eager to get back on track with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
After missing out on the entire 2025 season, Larison's goal for the 2026-27 season is to prove he can stay healthy and be a reliable option for the Patriots, regardless of position. That includes as a receiver, kick returner, or whatever they throw his way.