Hassan Haskins and the New England Patriots parted ways on August 29, 2026, when the team released the veteran running back during final roster cuts. The move came just hours after New England acquired running back Corey Kiner in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, a transaction that left Haskins without a clear path onto the 53-man roster.
A Short-Lived Reunion With Mike Vrabel
New England signed Haskins on August 12, 2026, giving him a reunion with head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel served as Tennessee’s head coach when the Titans drafted Haskins in the fourth round, pick No. 131 overall, out of Michigan in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The reunion did not last long. Haskins spent just 17 days with the Patriots before his release, a brief stint that nonetheless included meaningful preseason snaps. He appeared in all three of New England’s preseason games and carried the ball 15 times for 59 yards, an average of 3.9 yards per attempt.
Haskins played in the Patriots’ preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on August 28, 2026. Despite a respectable showing, his performance was not enough to secure a roster spot once New England made an outside addition at the position.
The Corey Kiner Trade Changed the Math
The Patriots acquired Kiner from Arizona in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. Kiner originally entered the league as a rookie free agent with the San Francisco 49ers on April 28, 2025, out of Cincinnati. San Francisco released him following training camp, and the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad on September 23, 2025.
Minnesota elevated Kiner to the active roster on November 8, 2025. Arizona later signed him to its 53-man roster from Minnesota’s practice squad on December 2, 2025, and he played in the Cardinals’ final four games of the season. Kiner finished that stretch with 12 rushing attempts for 58 yards, two receptions for 15 yards and one kickoff return for 22 yards.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Kiner now projects as New England’s third running back, slotting in behind the established duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. That depth-chart math left little room for Haskins, who was competing for a bubble spot alongside running backs Lan Larison and Jam Miller.
Haskins’ NFL Journey Before New England
Haskins, now 26, has bounced through three organizations since entering the league in 2022. His path includes:
- Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (No. 131 overall) in 2022
- Missed the entire 2023 season after landing on injured reserve out of the preseason
- Released by Tennessee at the end of the 2024 preseason
- Claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers, where he spent two seasons
- Signed by New England on August 12, 2026, and released on August 29, 2026
During his two seasons with the Chargers, Haskins appeared in 29 games. In 2025 specifically, he played in 12 games and rushed for 47 yards on 17 carries, a 2.8 yards-per-carry average, adding four receptions for 13 yards without a touchdown.
Across his full NFL career, Haskins has appeared in 44 regular-season games with one start. He has totaled 76 rushing attempts for 229 yards and two touchdowns, 18 receptions for 199 yards and one touchdown, and 28 kickoff returns for 646 yards. Much of his value throughout his career has come on special teams, where his size and physicality made him a useful contributor even when his offensive role stayed limited.
Part of a Larger Round of Patriots Cuts
The Hassan Haskins release was one of several New England made on August 29, 2026, as the team trimmed its roster toward the NFL’s 53-man limit. The Patriots released 18 players that day. Running back JaMycal Hasty was cut alongside Haskins, and both had signed with the team ahead of the preseason opener after visiting Gillette Stadium for workouts.
Other notable roster moves from that same round of cuts included the release of cornerback Marcellas Dial, a sixth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2024. New England also released three backup interior offensive linemen: Darrian Dalcourt, JonDarius Morgan and Jacob Rizy.
The Patriots entered the weekend with roughly 90 players on the roster before beginning the trimming process. Quarterback Drake Maye remains the only player still with the organization from New England’s 2024 draft class, which included eight total selections.
What Comes Next for the Patriots Backfield
With Haskins gone, New England’s running back room now centers on Stevenson and Henderson at the top of the depth chart, with Kiner added as a developing third option. Larison and Miller remain on the roster but are considered firmly on the bubble as the team continues finalizing its 53-man group ahead of the regular season.
The team did not surrender significant draft capital to acquire Kiner, but the move signaled how the coaching staff viewed its existing running back depth heading into the season. Stevenson and Henderson remain secure in their roles, while the competition behind them continues to take shape.
What’s Next for Hassan Haskins
Players released during final roster cuts are eligible to sign with a team’s practice squad, and Haskins carries a resume that could interest New England or another club looking for a physical, special-teams-capable running back. His familiarity with Vrabel’s system, built during their shared time in Tennessee, could still factor into future opportunities with the organization if a roster need arises.
For now, Haskins becomes a free agent as final roster cuts continue across the league. His release fits a broader pattern from his career, in which waiver claims and practice squad moves have repeatedly kept him in the league despite limited offensive opportunities.
The New England Patriots’ decision to release Hassan Haskins reflects a straightforward roster calculation rather than any specific performance shortfall. His preseason production, including 59 rushing yards on 15 carries, showed he could still contribute in a depth role. The trade for Kiner simply changed the numbers game at a position New England has spent the offseason retooling.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Hassan Haskins’ next NFL destination and more New England Patriots roster news as final cuts continue.