Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots have made a change in the backfield ahead of joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings.
The organization announced the signing of rookie Shane Watts on Tuesday, waiving fellow running back Deneric Prince in a corresponding move.
Watts, 23, visited Foxborough to begin the week. The Division II Fort Hays State product tried out at rookie minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft. He later agreed to terms with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in July.
A 5-foot-9, 195-pound former defensive back, Watts appeared in 44 collegiate games. His senior season spanned 1,303 rushing yards, 449 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns. Second-team All-American honors followed from the D2CCA, Associated Press and Don Hansen Football Committee.
Prince, 25, had signed with the Patriots on Sunday but was not present for the most recent practice. The 6-foot, 211-pound tailback out of Tulsa entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. He spent the majority of his rookie year on the practice squad, serving as a standard elevation for two games to log 15 snaps on special teams.
After being waived at the league’s 53-man roster deadline in 2024, Prince joined the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins. A UFL stint with the Memphis Showboats arrived in the spring. It featured 666 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns across 10 games.
New England’s backfield depth chart has been subject to August attrition.
After rookie Lan Larison landed on injured reserve, Monday saw starter Rhamondre Stevenson miss his second consecutive practice. Rising sophomore Terrell Jennings, who made three appearances last campaign, also left the session early.
Joint practices at Minnesota’s TCO Performance Center are on deck for Wednesday and Thursday leading up to Saturday’s 1 p.m. ET preseason kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium.
