Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
Odds by

    Patriots acquire RB Corey Kiner from Cardinals

    Link copied to clipboard!

    NE Running Back #37
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Patriots acquired RB Corey Kiner from the Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

    The trade was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The draft pick going to the Cardinals is a seventh-round pick in 2028. Kiner was buried on the depth in Arizona, but should immediately step in as the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson with the Patriots. A former UDFA who appeared in four games with the Cardinals last year, Kiner is only worth a stash in deeper formats and has no standalone fantasy value.
Maye was 'decisive' in bounce-back Week 4 outing
Chris Simms and Devin McCourty evaluate how Drake Maye was able to get back on track in Week 4 against the Bills, with Simms highlighting one area he still wants to see the Patriots quarterback clean up.

Related Player News

  • NE Running Back #9
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Kiner served as Rhamondre Stevenson’s backup with TreVeyon Henderson out this week. He was the only other Pats running back to see a carry in this game, though practice squad call-up Lan Larison was targeted twice, both of which he caught. Kiner did not see a look through the air. As a backup running back without any pass-catching value, Kiner is not on the fantasy radar heading into Week 2.
  • NE Running Back #32
    The injury has sidelined Henderson since August 24. The Patriots face the Seahawks on Wednesday. At this point, Henderson must be considered questionable to play. Even if he were active, he would be slated for No. 2 duties behind starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson, and it is fair to wonder if the team would keep Henderson on a snap count. Reiss reported this morning that RB Lan Larison and/or RB Hassan Haskins would likely be elevated from the practice squad if Henderson cannot play, joining Stevenson and backup RB Corey Kiner on game day.
  • ARI Running Back #31
    Demercado failed to snag his only target and he was out-touched 6-to-5 by fellow backup RB Corey Kiner. Cardinals RB Michael Carter is the clear-cut starter and Kiner’s presence reduces Demercado’s bench-stash value. This looks like a three-player committee with one FLEX-viable player.
  • ARI Running Back #35
    The Cardinals released RB Jermar Jefferson in a related move. We’d love to say this doesn’t matter, but sadly, all Cardinals running back news is real news. Kiner spent time with the 49ers in training camp before getting hurt, he was a priority UDFA signing this offseason. It’s possible he may be fantasy-relevant at some point given how banged up the Cardinals RB room is.
  • SF Running Back #32
    Taylor exited Saturday’s preseason game against the Raiders with the injury and did not return to the field. Rookie UDFA Corey Kiner also exited with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. The 49ers are already dealing with injuries to Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and rookie Jordan James (knee). Behind Christian McCaffrey is journeyman Ke’Shawn Vaughn and the recently re-signed Jeff Wilson, who rushed for 8-16-1 against the Raiders while adding another catch for 16 yards. Both Vaughn and Wilson could spell McCaffrey in Week 1 against the Seahawks if Guerendo, James, and Taylor are all sidelined. That said, none of these players carry much fantasy upside.
  • SF Running Back #49
    Kiner is a UDFA from Cincinnati who has been impressing in Niners camp. The rookie broke off a 19-yard run in the second quarter and remained down after the play, only to later be carted from the field. While he’d typically be considered a long shot to make the roster, Kiner may have had an opening given the current state of the 49ers’ backfield. We’ll hopefully know more on his injury soon.
  • SF Running Back
    Though he played his freshman year at LSU, Kiner (5’9/209) made a name for himself with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Cincinnati. A steady runner, Kiner consistently moved the chains. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler describes Kiner as having “high-level contact balance” and notes he shows “better short-area quickness than true burst.” Kiner can fight through contact and finish runs, though he is less of a receiving back or home-run threat. He profiles as an early-down back who can contribute in a committee role at the NFL level if he secures a roster spot. He’ll have an uphill climb for a spot on the 53 as he chases fifth-rounder Jordan James and veteran Patrick Taylor.
  • NE Running Back #9
    Kiner (5'9"/217) was LSU’s second leading rusher last year behind Tyrion Davis-Price. He racked up 324 yards on 79 carries and scored two touchdowns. He was a four-star recruit in the 2021 class out of Cincinnati, Ohio, so it’s a homecoming for Kiner. He is described as a bruiser, a compact runner that will burst through the hole and won’t get taken down by arm tackles. He’ll be a worthy replacement for Jerome Ford and Cincinnati gets a great RB that they would struggle to get in actual recruiting

  • NE Running Back #9
    Kiner (5'9/217) was a four-star RB from the 2021 recruiting class, and put together a 79-323-2 rushing line with the Tigers as a true freshman. Now, with spring practices drawing to a close, Kiner has announced his intent to transfer. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kiner could draw some serious attention in the portal as a former four-star back with several years of eligibility remaining.

  • NE Running Back #9
    Kiner picks the Tigers over schools like Cincinnati, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Louisville. The Cincinnati native is the first tailback to commit to the school since Kevin Faulk took over as RB coach, as pointed out by Brody Miller of The Athletic. He’s rated the seventh best player in the state of Ohio by 247Sports, and the 10th best running back overall. A scouting report from the recruiting website states that he’s not a burner, but can run through tackles and has quality vision. This is now the 10th known commit for Ed Orgeron and the Tigers in the 2021 class.

Rotoworld

  • NE Wide Receiver #13
    Player Stats
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Mack Hollins (calf) did not practice Wednesday.

    Hollins injured his calf in Week 4 and was listed as questionable to return. He immediately went to the locker room and did not return. Hollins is unlikely to play in Week 5. Romeo Doubs finally broke out last week with six catches for 58 yards and two scores. He will be in line for another sizable role once Hollins is ruled out. Kyle Williams will take on a starting role, though he is only worth a stash in deeper fantasy formats.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Rhamondre Stevenson (leg) is not expected to practice on Wednesday.

    Stevenson tweaked his knee or ankle on his last touch of Week 4. The game ended shortly after that, so we didn’t get an official update on his injury from the team. Vrabel told reporters there is a chance he plays in Week 5, but it sounds like the veteran is on the wrong side of questionable as of Wednesday. TreVeyon Henderson’s role was dwindling in recent weeks, but Stevenson’s absence will thrust him right back into a workhorse role. He would be a high-end RB2 if Stevenson is unable to go.
  • CHI Running Back #25
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Bears coach Ben Johnson said Kyle Monangai’s thumb injury is “not an issue.”

    Johnson did add, “He had 30 carries, and he feels like he had 30 carries.” Monangai will play in Week 5 versus the Packers, but it doesn’t sound like he will double up D’Andre Swift in carries for the second week in a row. Expect a more even split of the work this week, with Swift potentially returning to his normal lead-back role. Even with fewer carries, Monangai is locked in as a fantasy RB3.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    ESPN’s John Keim reports Jayden Daniels (elbow) is expected to be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

    NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo already reported that Daniels is expected to play in Week 5 and a full practice to open the week all but confirms his update. With Marcus Mariota also banged up, seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis would have been the next man up. He will back Daniels up as long as the latter doesn’t suffer any setbacks. The Commanders will likely dial back the designed runs for their franchise quarterback, but fantasy managers have to start him as a low-end QB1 as long as he’s on the field.
  • CIN Wide Receiver #5
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Tee Higgins (adductor) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

    Higgins went down with the injury in the fourth quarter of Week 4. He tried to play through it but ultimately ended the game on the sidelines. A limited practice today is a good sign for his Week 5 availability. That will be doubly important with Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) also questionable for Sunday’s game. If Chase can’t clear protocol in time, Higgins will operate as the Bengals’ No. 1 receiver. Even at less than full strength, he would be a fringe WR1 play.
  • CIN Wide Receiver #1
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Ja’Marr Chase is working through the league’s concussion protocol.

    Chase suffered the brain injury in Week 4 and did not return. He entered the league’s concussion protocol after the game. Taylor didn’t give much of an update on where he stands for Week 5, but Chase has several hurdles to clear before he is given the green light. He is likely on the wrong side of questionable to start the week, but it’s too early to say anything definitively. If he can’t go, Tee Higgins, who is dealing with an injury of his own, would take on the lion’s share of the targets in the Cincy offense.
  • BAL Offensive Lineman #51
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Ravens acquired Cam Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Eagles in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.

    The Ravens have sustained several interior offensive line injuries in recent weeks. Things got so bad that they did not have a healthy center on the active roster or practice squad after Week 3. Jurgens is currently in concussion protocol and may not suit up this week, but he will take over as the team’s starter once healthy. The Eagles, in turn, will move forward Drew Kendall at center.
  • PHI Running Back #39
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Eagles activated RB Dameon Pierce to the team’s active roster.

    Pierce will probably operate as the team’s No. 2 back behind Will Shipley this week against the Jaguars, one of the league’s best rush defenses. Tank Bigsby and Saquon Barkley are sidelined, leaving the Eagles scraping bottom for backfield depth. Look for Pierce to get some early-down work against the Jaguars. Shipley, who had six carries for 23 yards last week, is the only viable fantasy option of the two, though head coach Nick Sirianni heaped praise on Pierce Wednesday. “He’s an NFL starting running back,” Sirriani said of Pierce. “Maybe wouldn’t have said that when he was on our practice squad publicly, because of the fear of losing him. But he’s an NFL starting running back.”
  • NYJ Wide Receiver #15
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Adonai Mitchell (finger) remains week to week.

    Mitchell will likely miss his third straight game with the finger issue. He suffered the injury just as he was coming on as the team’s clear No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson. With Mitchell sidelined last week against the Bears, Isaiah Williams was second on the team in pass routes, saw three targets, and caught a 58-yard touchdown from Geno Smith. Williams will have some deep-league viability in Week 5 against a Browns defense allowing the most air yards in the NFL.
  • NYJ Running Back #20
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Breece Hall (quad) is still “week to week.”

    It doesn’t look like Hall will practice this week as he recovers from the injury he sustained in Week 3. That would mean Braelon Allen, who saw all 14 running back rushes for New York in Week 4, will again function as the team’s workhorse in Week 5 against the Browns. Allen should still be considered a top-24 option despite the Jets’ immense offensive struggles last week against Chicago. The Browns defense is allowing the sixth highest EPA per rush this season.