Patriots Sign Haskins, Waive Injured Montgomery in RB Shuffle
Patriots Sign Running Back Hassan Haskins, Waive Rookie Myles Montgomery
What Happened?
The New England Patriots made two moves with their running backs (players who carry the football):
- Signed Hassan Haskins – They added him to their team.
- Waived-Injured Myles Montgomery – They let go of a rookie player who is currently hurt.
IMPORTANT POINT
"Waived-Injured" means the player is injured. The team cuts him, but if no other team claims him, he goes back to the Patriots’ "Injured Reserve" list. He stays with the organization to heal but doesn’t count against the main roster limit.
Who Is Hassan Haskins?
Think of Hassan Haskins as a big, strong runner who can also catch the ball and return kickoffs.
- Age: 26 years old
- Size: 6-foot-2, 228 pounds (That’s big for a running back!)
- College: University of Michigan
- Drafted: 4th Round, 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans
His NFL Journey So Far
- 2022–2023: Played for the Tennessee Titans.
- August 2024: Released by the Titans at the end of training camp.
- 2024–2025: Picked up by the Los Angeles Chargers (claimed off waivers).
- Now: Signed by the New England Patriots.
Hassan Haskins’ Career Stats (Regular Season)
Here is the scorecard for his first three NFL seasons (44 games played, 1 start):
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Rushing | 76 carries for 229 yards & 2 Touchdowns |
| Receiving | 18 catches for 199 yards & 1 Touchdown |
| Kickoff Returns | 28 returns for 646 yards |
Last Season (2024) with the Chargers
- Played in 12 games
- 17 carries for 47 yards
- 4 catches for 13 yards
- 8 kickoff returns for 197 yards
Who Is Myles Montgomery?
Myles Montgomery is a young, rookie player trying to make his first NFL team.
- Age: 23 years old
- Size: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds
- College: University of Central Florida (UCF)
- Signed: May 8, 2026, as an Undrafted Free Agent (He wasn’t picked in the draft, but the Patriots liked him enough to sign him anyway).
His College Career
He played college football for 5 total seasons at two different schools:
- University of Cincinnati (2021–2023): 3 seasons.
- UCF (2024–2025): 2 seasons.
College Totals:
- 41 Games Played
- 274 Carries
- 1,546 Rushing Yards
- 11 Touchdowns
Why This Matters for the Patriots
This is a classic "Veteran for Rookie" swap at the running back position.
- Experience: Haskins has played 44 real NFL games. He knows the speed of the pro game.
- Special Teams Value: Haskins has returned 28 kickoffs in his career. The Patriots love players who help on "Special Teams" (kicking plays).
- Roster Spot: Montgomery got hurt. NFL teams only have 53 spots on the main roster. They needed a healthy body now, so they brought in Haskins.
Summary
- The Patriots signed RB Hassan Haskins, a 26-year-old veteran with 3 years of NFL experience (Titans, Chargers).
- Haskins is a big back (228 lbs) who contributes as a runner, receiver, and kickoff returner.
- To make room, they waived-injured rookie RB Myles Montgomery (23, UCF).
- Montgomery was an undrafted free agent signed in May 2026 with a solid college resume (1,546 yards, 11 TDs).
- This move gives New England immediate depth and special teams help at running back.
FAQ
1. What does "Claimed off Waivers" mean?
When a team cuts a player with less than 4 years of experience, they don’t become a free agent immediately. They go on a "waiver wire" for 24 hours. Other teams can "claim" them (take their contract). The Chargers claimed Haskins when the Titans cut him in 2024.
2. What is an "Undrafted Free Agent" (UDFA)?
Every year, about 250 players get picked in the NFL Draft. Hundreds more don’t get picked. Those players can sign with any team that wants them as a "Free Agent." Myles Montgomery was one of these players.
3. Why would the Patriots cut a rookie they just signed in May?
Montgomery got injured. NFL rosters are tight (only 53 players allowed). If a player can’t practice or play for a long time, the team often has to cut them to sign a healthy replacement. "Waived-Injured" protects the player’s rights if he clears waivers.
4. Is Hassan Haskins going to be the starting running back?
Probably not right away. He has only 1 career start in 3 years. He was signed for depth (backup insurance) and special teams (kick returns). The Patriots likely have other backs ahead of him on the depth chart.
5. What happens to Myles Montgomery now?
He goes on the Waiver Wire for 24 hours.
- If another team claims him: He goes to that team (with his injury).
- If nobody claims him: He reverts to the Patriots’ Injured Reserve (IR) list. He stays with New England, rehabs his injury, but cannot play this season.