New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III, left, turns up field after making a reception in front of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Mac McWilliams, right, during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game. (Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III, left, turns up field after making a reception in front of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Mac McWilliams, right, during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game. (Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
If the Patriots had to file roster cuts tomorrow, they could do it.
Two-thirds of the preseason is over, and more than 90% of their training camp practices are complete. Most position battles remain close, but a few players should have pulled ahead on the depth chart with their performances Saturday night in a comeback win.
Who helped themselves against the Eagles?
Here are the Herald’s film observations from the Pats’ win on Saturday:
Studs
OLB Amari Gainer: Gainer led the Patriots with three pressures and was one of two players to record an individual run-stuff.
CB Kindle Vildor: He had the Patriots’ only pass breakup and supplied tight coverage all night. Vildor has been their best outside corner in practices and the preseason over the last 10 days.
QB Behren Morton: He orchestrated a game-winning drive, hung in the pockets to take hits and threw an accurate ball.
Duds
OL James Hudson: Two holding penalties in the first three minutes, then a sack allowed later in the game. Sheesh.
LB Chad Muma: Muma missed two tackles for a second straight preseason game and played deep into the fourth quarter. Bad signs for his hopes of earning a roster spot.
OLB Gabe Jacas: It’s important to remember Jacas has only been on the field for three weeks, but poor run defense and a single pressure in 19 pass-rushing snaps — which he generated on a play he was unblocked — isn’t good enough.
New England Patriots running back Lan Larison scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxboro. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
New England Patriots running back Lan Larison scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxboro. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Offensive notes
Running backs Hassan Haskins and Lan Larison helped themselves most in the battle for the No. 3 job. Haskins showed nice vision and took the fewest snaps, a positive sign in the preseason. Larison converted on fourth-and-short with an extra effort play and scored a touchdown.
Larison did, however, allow a hurry in blitz pickup, a key job for whoever wins this job. It was also notable he didn’t break a tackle despite playing the most snaps. At least he didn’t fumble like JaMycal Hasty.
Rookie running back Jam Miller was the ball carrier on all five runs that were stuffed, but again demonstrated a good feel behind zone-blocking. His 20-yarder run off an outside zone play was the longest rush among running backs.
Saturday showcased the full Kyle Williams experience. He pulled away for a long touchdown catch on a go route, blocked well to help create an explosive play on a running back screen but caught just two passes on six targets.
Williams remains strictly a vertical receiver, who struggles to separate on in-breakers compared to deeper routes or those that play off his speed (comebacks and curls).
Efton Chism: roster lock. Nick DeGennaro, meanwhile, made a compelling case for a practice squad spot. The undrafted rookie has been the team’s most reliable receiver this summer among those who should be on the outside looking in come cutdown day.
Caleb Lomu allowed a sack and a run stuff, despite playing his old college position of left tackle. Lomu also played deep into the fourth quarter.
Ditto for sixth-rounder Dametrious Crownover, who replaced the injured Marcus Bryant at left tackle. He was flagged for a false start and let up a sack, plus another pressure.
Player stats
Broken tackles: WR Efton Chism III 2, RB Jam Miller 2, RB JaMycal Hasty 2, WR Kyle Williams 1, RB Hassan Haskins 1, QB Tommy DeVito 1
Drops: N/A
Pressure allowed: OT Caleb Lomu 2 (sack, hurry), OT Dametrious Crownover 2 (sack, hurry), OG Mekhi Butler 2 (QB hit, hurry), RB Lan Larison 2 (2 hurries), C Jacob Rizy (sack), OL James Hudson (sack), C Joe Michalski (QB hit), OL Darrian Dalcourt (hurry), RB JaMycal Hasty (hurry) Team (QB hit)
Run-stuffs allowed: Team 2, OT Caleb Lomu, OT Dametrious Crownover, OG James Hudson III
Defensive notes
The good news: defensive tackles Isaiah Iton and Jeremiah Pharms Jr., both long shots for the 53-man roster, were at the heart of the Eagles’ long, bruising touchdown drive that drew a timeout and Mike Vrabel’s ire over the first and second quarters. Iton, in fact, was driven back into the end zone before Philly scored on that series.
The bad news: the Pats’ other defensive tackles who might make the team also struggled, namely Eric Gregory and Joshua Farmer.
Whether it’s defensive tackle or on the edge, the Patriots need better depth here soon if they plan to rotate as often as they did last season to keep their primary pass-rushers and run-stoppers fresh. Right now, there are three roster-able outside linebackers, and one is clearly behind the other two.
Who is that? Rookie Gabe Jacas, who was turned out of his gap on multiple occasions and only created pressure when he was unblocked. Jacas may need more time than the Patriots have before their opener, even if his impressive physical traits are evident.
Inside linebacker Chad Muma may have played himself off the team after a strong start to camp, especially with his run defense. Another veteran backup, K.J. Britt, cooled after a sizzling preseason opener by running himself out of a couple plays.
Undrafted rookie linebackers Riley Wilson and Khalil Jacobs were both active against the run and pass, despite one missed tackle for Wilson.
Another young linebacker, sixth-round pick Namdi Obiazor, may make the team as a core special teamer, but had textbook technique on his fourth-down pass breakup in the end zone playing through the receiver’s hands to knock the ball out.
Second-year edge rusher Bradyn Swinson continues to disappoint and may have been at fault for failing to peel off and cover the running back on the Eagles’ last touchdown pass, a play where the Patriots sent an all-out blitz. He finished with zero pressures.
Player stats
Interceptions: N/A
Forced fumbles: OLB Quintayvious Hutchins
Pass breakups: CB Kindle Vildor
Pressure: OLB Amari Gainer 3 (sack, QB hit, hurry), Team 2 (2 hurries), Hutchins (sack), LB Riley Wilson (QB hit), OLB Gabe Jacas (QB hit), DL Leonard Taylor III (QB hit)
Run stuffs: Team 3, S Mike Brown, Gainer
Missed tackles: LB Chad Muma 2, DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr., OLB Bradyn Swinson, CB Brandon Crossley, Wilson
Special teams
Haskins, safety Dell Pettus, cornerback Marcellas Dial and Jacas and Obiazor started on all four special teams units.
Williams, a speedy wideout, started at gunner on punt team, with Dial at the other spot.
Larison, Britt and safety Mike Brown started on three teams. Britt and Larison appear to be on the roster bubble.
Long snapper Julian Ashby made a potential touchdown-saving tackle during a punt return in the first half, a high-effort play.
Morton, who punted in high school, finished with a 44.3 yards per punt average. Not bad, kid!