Lan Larison’s ascent with the Patriots ends abruptly as he lands on IR, narrowing New England’s rookie backfield slate just as preseason momentum shifted. New England responds by signing Deneric Prince, a veteran with a Super Bowl pedigree and recent production, to bolster depth behind a Stevenson-led attack. The preseason had showcased Larison’s ability to contribute in both rushing and receiving, but the injury news shifts fantasy focus toward Prince and the established backs. The Patriots’ ground game now hinges on Stevenson’s workload, with TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson providing complementary roles, and Prince emerge as a real insurance option who could seize touches if others falter. As Week 1 approaches, fantasy managers should recalibrate Patriots backfield expectations, eye Prince as a late-round add in deeper leagues, and monitor how the depth chart evolves behind Stevenson.