Patriots beat Vikings 20-12 as rookies Henderson and Chism each record another preseason TD
Henderson, the second-round draft pick from national champion Ohio State who's been turning heads in training camp and tracking toward a prominent role in the backfield, rushed for 20 yards with an 8-yard score on four carries during a two-drive stint for the first-team offense. Henderson had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week.
The Patriots held a handful of projected starters out, including four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who's returning from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered halfway through his lone season with the Houston Texans.
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye started against an all-backups Vikings defense and went 4 for 7 for 46 yards with a delay-of-game penalty and an overthrow that was nearly intercepted but dropped by Tavierre Thomas.
Chism made another compelling case for a regular-season roster spot with six receptions from backup QB Joshua Dobbs for 71 yards and a score. He caught a short throw on third-and-9 from the 12 and broke six tackle attempts as he twisted and muscled his way into the end zone.
With Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and veterans Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins on the Patriots' roster, there might be only one opening for a wide receiver. Chism, who was undrafted out of Eastern Washington, will certainly get a long look. He had a 12-yard touchdown catch last week.
Vikings play it safe
The two teams had two days of joint practices this week, providing plenty of valuable tests for players in situational drills in a controlled setting, and Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was more than satisfied with the work. Not a single projected starter on either side of the ball suited up for Minnesota, and several key backups who are locks to make the team were given the afternoon off, too.
New quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who led one 12-play drive last week, wore an earpiece on the sideline while Sam Howell started.
Howell, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in April after the veteran backup market dried up, went 1 for 5 with an interception he forced off his back foot under pressure.
Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who has been the best of the backups in camp, went 15 for 27 for 156 yards while playing the whole second half. His final throw from the 13-yard line on the last play of the game was tipped and intercepted in the end zone by Kyle Dugger.
Up next
The Patriots finish the preseason at New York Giants on Thursday, when the Vikings play at the Tennessee Titans.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New York Giants' Abdul Carter addresses being decleated vs. Jets
New York Giants rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter has looked otherworldly since entering the league, dominating spring and summer workouts, and making grown men look like boys in both practices and games. But one constant forever remains the same in the NFL: Every rookie will have their "welcome to the league" moment. For Carter, that moment came on Saturday night against the New York Jets when he was completely decleated by tight end Stone Smartt and then buried by offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. It was a humbling yet frustrating moment for Carter, who wasn't interested in discussing it after the game. "It happens, but we got the win. That's all I'm worried about," he told reporters. "(Expletive) just happens on the football field, but we got the win, so we're good." Carter was limited to just 19 snaps in his MetLife Stadium debut, recording only a single tackle. His overall impact was minimal given the Jets' reliance on the run, and his lone highlight was a negative. That left the rookie salivating for a full game. "I didn't get to play a full game. I just can't wait to play a full game, but it was fun," he said. "That's going to come. I'm patient. Right now, in preseason, we've got things that I can't control, so I've just got to control what I can control. When I'm in there, just do what I do best." Carter and the Giants will return to the practice field on Tuesday before wrapping up the preseason on Thursday night against the New England Patriots. After that, Carter will get his wish and finally suit up for a full NFL game, hoping to avoid the same mistakes he made against the Jets on Saturday night. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Abdul Carter addresses being decleated vs. Jets
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sierra Canyon's Mikhal Johnson is one of many difference-makers on defensive line
Sixth in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon defensive lineman. Mikhal Johnson, 6 feet 2 and 255 pounds, has played defense all his football life. Then came the moment last season when Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse gave him a chance to catch a pass from quarterback Wyatt Becker in a Mission League championship game against Gardena Serra. Johnson called it 'something out of a movie.' 'We practiced it a couple times during the week," Johnson said. "Coach called me over, 'We're running the play.' I lined up at tight end. I did a fake block. I go out, nobody is guarding me. This is it. Wyatt throws me the ball over my shoulder. I catch it. It was like, 'Yes.' I was so excited. My first ever touchdown the first time I played a skill position in my life.' Nothing comes as a surprise for Johnson, who also had a baseball game in the spring in which he hit two home runs and had seven RBIs against Camarillo. Ivy League football schools have been lining up trying to get him to consider their experience of academics and athletics. He had 16 tackles for losses last season. 'I think he's almost unblockable,' Ellinghouse said. 'I've seen him screw up several of my practices and go up against some the best high school players in the world. He's a perfect combination of strength and twitchiness. He has long arms and deceptive strength.' Johnson is one of many outstanding defensive linemen and edge rushers set to make an impact this season. The position might be the strongest of any in Southern California when considering talent and depth. Richard Wesley of Sierra Canyon changed his classification to class of 2026 because he's been a standout since freshman year and is a Texas commit. Mater Dei has the most dominant lineman in Tomuhini Topui, a 315-pound USC commit known for throwing around blockers and running backs. Khary Wilder of Gardena Serra, an Ohio State commit, is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 11 tackles for losses. Andrew Williams of Fremont is a 6-5, 220-pound USC commit trying to prove you can still make it out of the City Section. Sophomore Marcus Fakatou of Orange Lutheran and junior ElijaHarmon of Inglewood are big, strong and intimidating young stars in the making. Anthony Jones of Crean Lutheran is a UCLA commit known for his pass-rushing skills. Malik Brooks of St. Pius X-St. Matthias is a 330-pound tackle committed to USC who knows how to take apart double teams. Devyn Blake of Edison has the size to cause havoc. Elijah Staples of Marquez is a defensive end who had 13 sacks as a sophomore. Dutch Horisk of St. John Bosco is an Oregon commit who had four sacks last season. There's many defensive linemen this season ready to be difference-makers, and Johnson fits right in. He has used baseball to help him excel in football. 'I feel they both help me,' he said. 'Baseball is good hands-eye coordination and because I'm a defensive linemen I use my hands a lot. Seeing a baseball, the reaction time is like an offensive lineman using their hands.' Sierra Canyon is still trying to find a way to get past Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, a roadblock that most teams in Southern California have failed to get through. Read more: Complete coverage: Prep football preview 2025 'It's a fire under our butts to keep going,' Johnson said. 'We practice hard.' Monday: Ventura linebacker Tristan Phillips. Defensive linemen to watch Malik Brooks, St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 6-4, 330, Sr. USC commit is big roadblock in the middle Marcus Fakatou, Orange Lutheran, 6-7, 265, So. His talent level is off the charts Dutch Horisk, St. St. John Bosco, 6-3, 240, Sr. Four-year starter is Oregon commit Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon, 6-2, 255, Sr. Had 16 tackles for losses Anthony Jones, Crean Lutheran, 6-4, 285, Sr. UCLA commit keeps building up strength Simote Katoanga, Santa Margarita, 6-5, 250, Sr. JSerra transfer is physical specimen Izak Simpson, Simi Valley, 6-3, 260, Sr. Sacramento State commit has 29 sacks the last two years Tomuhini Topui, Mater Dei, 6-3, 320, Sr. USC commit could play for any college in the country Richard Wesley, Sierra Canyon, 6-5, 250, Sr. Texas commit had nine sacks last season Khary Wilder, Gardena Serra, 6-4, 260, Sr. Ohio State commit is four-year starter who shows up every game Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tennessee basketball offers 2028 shooting guard
Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2028 basketball signing class. The Vols offered a scholarship to shooting guard AJ Williams. "Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee," Williams announced. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound prospect is from Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia. He also played for the USA Basketball U16 national team as a part of the FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup in 2025. Williams has not accumulated recruiting rankings from 247Sports or On3. Mississippi State was the first school to offer him a scholarship on April 19. Additional schools to offer Williams scholarships include Georgia Tech, Georgia, Auburn, Indiana, North Carolina State, Louisville, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Memphis and Rutgers. Tennessee does not have a commitment for its 2028 basketball recruiting class. The Vols have six commitments in their 2025 basketball recruiting class: forward DeWayne Brown, small forward Amari Evans, point guard Troy Henderson, forward Nate Ament, shooting guard Clarence Massamba and shooting guard Ethan Burg. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols offer 2028 shooting guard from Georgia
