Browns RB Jerome Ford returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since injuring his right hamstring back on Aug. 7. Ford still has more than a week before the Sept. 10 opener against the Bengals. He also has added competition after Cleveland traded for RB Pierre Strong. We'd still stash Ford ahead of Strong in fantasy football drafts. Both are late-round options but could present significant upside in the case of a Nick Chubb injury.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Patriots have traded RB Pierre Strong to the Browns for OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Cleveland has spent August thin at RB behind Nick Chubb, with Jerome Ford out nursing a hamstring injury. ESPN's Jake Trotter projected Demetric Felton as the third RB behind Chubb and Ford before this move. The trade doesn't guarantee that Strong makes the regular-season roster. But he should be a good bet to do so. Given that Ford has just eight career NFL touches on offense, it's an upside landing spot for Strong. His departure from a Patriots roster he was expected to make leaves room for at least one among Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, and J.J. Taylor behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott.
Patriots RBs Pierre Strong (concussion) and Ty Montgomery (leg) returned to practice on Tuesday. Strong isn’t yet cleared for full contact, per reporter Zack Cox. Montgomery sustained an undisclosed leg injury on day 2 of training camp. Neither guy is on the fantasy radar in standard-size leagues following the arrival of Zeke Elliott.
The Patriots are set to sign RB Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal worth "up to" $6 million, NFL Network reports. We'll see about the actual details of the contract but doubt the base value is anywhere close to $6 million. Elliott's name is much bigger than his game at this point. The 28-year-old averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season, ranking 43rd among 48 qualifiers in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt. His usage and production plummeted in the passing game, too. Elliott caught just 17 of 23 targets for 92 yards (5.4 YPC) and 0 TDs. The Patriots have been flirting with free-agent RBs for a while now -- seemingly in large part because depth RBs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris have failed to emerge. The Elliott signing is more about those guys than lead RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Zeke's arrival adds some risk to Stevenson's 2023 fantasy outlook. But Stevenson was more effective by basically any metric last year -- as a runner and pass-catcher -- and should remain the Patriots' clear backfield leader. Elliott looks more like a Stevenson handcuff than standalone fantasy option. But we'll keep an eye on New England's plans.
Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal carries $3 million in base salary, $1 million in signing bonus, and incentives that can take it to $6 million.
The Patriots released RB James Robinson. This was always a distinct possibility considering Robinson had $0 guaranteed money in his contract, although it's a bit surprising that he didn't even make it to training camp. Robinson turns just 25 in August but hasn't been the same player since his 2021 Achilles tear. We'll see where he latches on next, but Robinson isn't worth a roster spot in redraft leagues and has very little dynasty value at this point. His departure leaves RBs Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, and J.J. Taylor behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
The Patriots have agreed to a two-year deal with RB James Robinson. According to multiple reports, it's worth "up to" $8 million. We'll be curious to see what the real value of this contract is. That could signal how big a role the team is planning. The Jaguars traded Robinson for just a sixth-round pick last year, and then he touched the ball just 31 times with the Jets. We're not betting on big stuff from him this year. This move might actually be good news for RB Rhamondre Stevenson. We figured New England would bring in at least one new RB, with Damien Harris hitting the open market. If Robinson winds up the biggest addition, then Stevenson will be well set up for RB1 upside. He finished last season 11th among RBs in PPR points per game.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. He exploded for a 19-172-1 rushing line while playing through this ankle issue last week and will get a "full load" today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. RB Damien Harris (thigh) is inactive, leaving rookies Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris behind Stevenson in the backfield.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) logged limited participation in practice all week and is officially listed as questionable for Week 16's game vs. the Bengals. The same goes for RB Damien Harris (thigh) this week. It's good to see both backs at least practiced somewhat this week. Fantasy managers should still keep a close eye on the final word for these guys ahead of kickoff on Saturday. Rookies Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris are names to keep an eye out for on the waiver wire just in case, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves just yet. Should Stevenson suit up, we consider him a top-10 play at the position.
Patriots RBs Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Damien Harris (thigh) both recorded their 2nd-straight limited practices on Thursday. It is still up in the air regarding which players will shoulder the rushing workload for the Pats on Saturday vs. the Bengals. We'll keep an eye out tomorrow regarding the health of this duo ahead of Week 16 action. If one or both cannot go, check your waiver wire for Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (thigh) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Tuesday. Teammate Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) was tagged with the same designation regarding an injury of his own. Should either Patriots back miss Week 16 vs. the Bengals on Saturday, rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. would be in line to pick up the backfield responsibility. The Bengals rank as the 10th-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, however, so the game will be tough sledding for whoever suits up this week.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson entered Sunday questionable with an ankle sprain but delivered big numbers after the game started. He rushed 19 times for 172 yards and a TD in the loss to the Raiders. He added 2 catches on 3 targets but lost 4 yards there amid a terrible passing day for New England. RB Pierre Strong Jr. Led the team with 3 receptions (for 12 yards) and carried 4 times for 25. RB Kevin Harris added 5-19 rushing. RB Damien Harris could be ready to re-enter the mix for a Week 16 date with the Bengals. He put in limited practices throughout Week 15 and was initially questionable before being ruled out for the Raiders game.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Raiders. He got in just a limited practice on Friday after hurting his ankle on Monday night. It’s unclear exactly how big a role Stevenson is ready for today, leaving him as a risk/reward RB2. With RB Damien Harris (thigh) out, rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong join Stevenson in the backfield.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has a "good chance" to play today against the Raiders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Pats will still have Stevenson test the ankle pregame, but they did not elevate J.J. Taylor from the practice squad. That indicates confidence in Stevenson's outlook, with rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. the only other healthy RBs on the active roster. We did add Stevenson to the Week 15 fantasy football rankings and will be watching for confirmation of his status.
The Patriots did not elevate a RB from the practice squad for Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. That suggests that RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has a real chance to play. If not, New England will be down to just rookie RBs Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong. We won't get the Patriots' inactives until around 2:30 pm ET tomorrow, but we'll look for a Stevenson update in the morning.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. RB Damien Harris (thigh) was limited. We'll keep a close eye on this backfield over the next few days, leading up to Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong are the healthy RBs on the active roster. RB J.J. Taylor is on the practice squad.
As expected, Patriots RB Damien Harris (thigh) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Cardinals. RBs Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong are active, but Rhamondre Stevenson should dominate backfield work.
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