Corey Kiner news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out for the season opener with an ankle injury.
Rookie Corey Kiner, acquired from Arizona on Aug. 28, may get his first real.
Background
The Patriots open the 2026 season against the Seahawks, but their expected lead back TreVeyon Henderson is out with an ankle injury. New England acquired Corey Kiner from the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 28 for a seventh-round pick after Terrell Jennings went on injured reserve. Kiner, a 24-year-old second-year back listed at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, has just four NFL games and 30 offensive snaps, and had been in the building only about a week, so the team may also elevate a practice-squad back to share the load.
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026Patriots running back Terrell Jennings is placed on injured reserve, creating a need at the position.
- Aug 28, 2026New England trades a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for running back Corey Kiner.
- Sep 6, 2026Reporting notes Kiner is the only other running back on the 53-man roster behind TreVeyon Henderson.
- Sep 8, 2026TreVeyon Henderson is ruled out for the season opener against the Seahawks with an ankle injury, leaving Kiner in line for work.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Kiner is seen as a compact, powerful one-cut runner with good vision who also showed well in pass protection and can return kickoffs.
- Caution
- He has only been with the team just over a week and five practices, so he is probably not fully up to speed.
- Official
- Coach Mike Vrabel called Kiner "a good young runner" and said the Patriots had tried to sign him after the 2025 draft.
Still unverified
Reports differ on whether Kiner will start or split work, and on whether the Patriots will elevate Lan Larison or Hassan Haskins from the practice squad; no final decision has been reported.