The New England Patriots have brought in seven-year veteran Craig Reynolds, who spent five years of his career with the Detroit Lions.
After countless attempts to bring in more running back depth, the New England Patriots have signed running back Craig Reynolds to their practice squad.
Since third-string running back Antonio Gibson went down with a season-ending knee injury, it’s been a revolving door of backs walking through the doors of the Gillette Stadium facility.
D’Ernest Johnson hasn’t been much of a viable option, and Terrell Jennings has been dealing with a knee injury.
In turn, the Patriots also released running back Rushawn Baker from their practice squad in order to bring in Reynolds.
Over the course of his seven year career, Reynolds has had a tough time finding consistent work in the NFL. He had spent five seasons with the Detroit Lions, playing in all 17 games in two consecutive seasons, but it only resulted in one rushing touchdown and 4.3 career yards per carry.
Prior to spending his five seasons with Detroit, he had bounced around, stating his career with the (then) Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent, and then quickly shifting over to the Jacksonville Jaguars before they released him after the 2020 season.
During his time there, he was mostly a special teams presence, and was used as a third string running back to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
On November 26, 2025, Reynolds was officially released from the organization he had spent most of his career with after the Lions released him to bolster their tight end depth.
For the Patriots, adding the seven-year veteran is a move that attempts to wake up their running back room.
Not only that, he can also be used as a decoy if New England ever decides to run multi-back sets, or even use Reynolds as a lead blocker.
Veteran Rhamondre Stevenson has hardly been the reliable option that they’re used to seeing, and it’s looking like TreVeyon Henderson is starting to get looks as New England’s top running back.
Adding Reynolds is by no means an earth-shattering move, but it adds a depth piece that is capable of gaining a few extra yards when Henderson is getting a rest or if Stevenson continues to perform poorly.
You’re only good as your depth is, and adding Reynolds to a struggling running back room can help keep everyone honest.