The New England Patriots continue to search for a third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
In Thursday’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, seventh-round pick Jam Miller made his case for the role. The rookie totaled 55 yards on 14 carries while breaking a long of 15, with his physicality along the way catching the eye of his head coach.
“It was good to see Jam come out and have some nice runs,” Mike Vrabel said post game. “I felt like he ran with his pads
down and had a couple physical runs, and was happy for him. This is a great evaluation. We can start to figure out guys that can and start to figure out guys that can’t too.”
For the 5-foot-10, 209 pound Miller, physicality is a key part of his game.
“I would say aggressive,” Miller said about his play style. “Aggressive with a little bit of speed in it, but I’m just going to do whatever I can do to help this team win.”
The Patriots running back room has seen turnover the last two days. Following injuries to Myles Montgomery and Terrell Jennings, the Patriots signed Hassan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty to the roster.
With those two joining Miller and Lan Larison, the Patriots will hope to find one capable of spelling their top duo in the regular season.
“I think you try to see what you have in the young guys, and then those guys are veterans. They’ve played,” Vrabel said. “They’re probably two different style of backs, but I like both of them personally. We’ve had some experience with JaMycal, and then going back to Tennessee with Hassan. I think it’s probably too early to tell for both of them. I know that they’re going to compete, but we just got them yesterday to be able to get them ready for the game.”
The Patriots will return to the practice fields Saturday as they turn the page to a new week. That will bring the Philadelphia Eagles to town for a pair of joint practices and their second preseason game, where Miller will have even more opportunities to separate himself from the pack.
“Jam was great,” quarterback Tommy DeVito said. “His confidence, that helps myself and everybody in the huddle believe in him and feel confident — so when we hand him the ball, he lowers his pads. He will lay the boom on somebody. He also has a little shiftiness that I am ready to see some more and more. The more tackling that I get to see him partake in, it will be fun.”
