Patriots Make RB Addition In The Wake Of Season-Ending Injury
The New England Patriots got an unfortunate break on Sunday night when Antonio Gibson was helped off the pitch, only to subsequently discover that the former Washington Commander was out for the season with a torn ACL.
The running back and returner sustained the injury after taking a big hit on a kick return in the second quarter.
At present, the Patriots are left with just two running backs on the active roster, veteran Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie second round pick, TreVeyon Henderson.
So perhaps it is not a surprise to many that the Patriots have made a decision to add to the room, signing tailback, Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad, per Sophie Weller of Patriots Wire.
The Patriots announced they have signed RB Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad and released OL Royce Newman from the practice squad.
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) October 7, 2025
The Patriots announced they have signed RB Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad and released OL Royce Newman from the practice squad.” Weller reported on Tuesday.
In a corresponding move, New England moved on from ex Green Bay Packers starting guard and fourth round pick, Royce Newman.
The Patriots Make An Addition At Running Back
Even prior to Gibson’s injury, the rushing attack was looked at by many as one of the key Achilles Heels of the team.
Stevenson has suffered from a fumbling problem that continues on the unfortunate streak from 2024, when the former Oklahoma star lead the league with 7, and currently retains that top-of-the-NFL position with 3 already.
And the second round rookie, whom many thought would quickly take over as RB1, has only averaged 3.8 yards per carry on 32 attempts, working out to a lacklustre 24 yards per game to start the year.
There is no doubt that between Stevenson, who signed a four year, $36 million extension in the 2024 offseason, and Henderson, the team will ultimately figure out the deficiencies running the ball. Especially as the offensive line, which currently sports two rookies, continues to find its footing.
What Role Could Jashaun Corbin Play On The Team In 2025?
In the meantime, Jashaun Corbin will likely take on the role as RB3 behind the two main starters, who figure to share the load moving forward, particularly if Stevenson’s fumbling problems do not start to clear up – indeed that could eventually lead to Henderson become the clear lead back on the team.
Corbin joins the practice squad, not the active roster, so it is not immediately apparent that he will even be active on game day, let alone having any sort of major impact on the team.
Although the likelihood would be that Corbin sees a game-day roster at least once, Mike Vrabel will likely stick with Stevenson and Henderson for the grand majority of snaps – at least ones that do not occur in garbage time.
In the NFL, franchises can elevate an individual player from the practice to the game-day squad up to three times over the course of a single season.
This will give the Patriots an opportunity to bring him in for the best part of a month as cover for their starting pair – and if he shows capabilities when called upon, it would not be shocking to see him eventually added to the 53-man roster.
Fans Drag Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy at Halftime, QB Gets Last Laugh
The Minnesota Vikings placed a huge bet on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy heading into this season, though his first-ever NFL game made that wager look foolish — at least for one half.
McCarthy entered the fourth quarter 7-of-12 passing for just 56 yards passing and an interception, which former Vikings cornerback Nashon Wright returned 74 yards for a touchdown. He also took three sacks through three quarters.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t hide his uncertainty around the 22-year-old signal-caller late in the first half, as he sent out kicker Will Reichard for a 59-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds left and no timeouts.
However, McCarthy turned the game around with a massive fourth quarter that began with touchdown drive during Minnesota’s first possession of the stanza, hitting Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard score on the Vikings’ first third-down conversion of the evening.
McCarthy’s then hit another touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones later in the fourth quarter following a controversial pass interference call on a third-and-one play. He then rushed for a 14-yard TD for the Vikings’ third score of the final period.
NFL Social Media Jumped on J.J. McCarthy Too Harshly, Quickly
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite how well McCarthy played late, his introduction to NFL social media was merciless.
Barstool Sports got in on the action early with a video of McCarthy on the sideline late in the first half.
“JJ McCarthy first half highlights,” the Barstool account captioned a reel of McCarthy jumping up and down and losing his hat in the process.
“JJ McCarthy is NOT an NFL caliber QB,” one X user posted. “The NFL is just too fast for him. Not even Kevin O’Connell can save him. Absolutely awful, the #Vikings should have kept [Sam] Darnold.”
“JJ McCarthy’s first touchdown pass!” another person wrote under a video of McCarthy’s interception to Wright early in the third quarter.
Bears Started Game Without 2 Starting Cornerbacks, Lost Nashon Wright in 2nd Half
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
McCarthy had to make his first NFL start under the bright lights of Soldier Field in a nationally televised game. That said, he caught a couple of nice breaks with regards to Chicago’s defense.
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed the contest due to a groin injury he suffered while training away from the Bears in late July. Kyler Gordon, Chicago’s starting nickel cornerback, also missed the contest with a hamstring issue.
Third-year cornerback Terrell Smith, who was competing for the CB2 job on the outside with Tyrique Stevenson, lost his season due to a knee injury in August. Then Wright, who intercepted McCarthy early in the second half, suffered a knee injury later in the contest that knocked him out for a period of time.
None of that, however, should diminish what McCarthy was able to accomplish — particularly considering Monday night’s were the first meaningful snaps of his professional career, and that he played so poorly through three quarters but still erased an 11-point deficit heading into the final quarter.
McCarthy finished the night 13-of-20 passing for 143 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also rushed the football twice for 25 yards and one score.
