The Patriots need help at running back with Antonio Gibson out for the season due to a torn ACL. They could sign a no-name back off the scrap heap, land a notable free agent (Ezekiel Elliott, anyone?) or target someone in a trade.
Or they could make do with what they have. In fact, at this point, that seems to be Plan A.
Throughout Wednesday’s media availability, it became clear that New England is treating practice squad running back Terrell Jennings as the primary Gibson replacement — for now, anyway.
“I think he’s a great teammate,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday when asked about Jennings. “I think he cares about the team. He’s able to play on special teams. He’s able to play on a fourth down. He’s got a toughness to him. I think he’s improved.”
On Tuesday, the Patriots signed former UFL running back Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad for added depth. However, Vrabel indicated bigger moves aren’t on the horizon.
Story continues below advertisement
“I think (the front office will) probably, hopefully look everywhere if there’s somebody that we feel like can help us, whether that’s at running back or any other position,” Vrabel said. “But right now, nothing new to add.”
Translation: Jennings probably will be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s road game against the New Orleans Saints, and perhaps for the Week 7 road game against the Tennessee Titans as well. Teams can elevate players three times — New England hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 — before they must either release the player or sign them to the 53-man roster.
So, the Patriots could see how things look with Jennings for a few weeks before deciding if they need a bigger upgrade. Given the presence of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, New England isn’t in a position where it must add a top running back.
Story continues below advertisement
Still, Jennings is unproven, Stevenson can’t hold onto the football, and Henderson struggled in his first five games as a rookie. The Patriots want to be a run-first team, and if their remaining stable of backs doesn’t get the job done against inferior opponents, they’ll need to upgrade before the schedule gets tougher.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Jennings spent most of last season on New England’s practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster late in the season. In three games, the Florida A&M product rushed 13 times for 33 yards.
Jennings was released after training camp in August but re-signed to the practice squad afterward. The 24-year-old now is preparing for potentially the biggest opportunity of his young career.
Story continues below advertisement
“Downhill, physicality. Physical runs — that’s what I bring to the table,” Jennings told reporters on Wednesday, via Pats Pulpit’s Brian Hines. “Pass pro as well. I just try to protect my teammates, protect the quarterback, and protect the ball as well. Getting downhill, running through and breaking tackles, that’s what I like to bring.”
Jennings also revealed that Gibson sent him a message after suffering his injury.
Story continues below advertisement
“Me and Antonio are actually really close,” Jennings said. “That’s my locker buddy as well. So, he told me, ‘It’s your time, it’s time to go.’
“I took that hard because that’s my brother. I’m with him every day. To see him go down like that, it hurt me to the core. So I would be wrong if I don’t go down there and do my job to uphold his standard.”
Jennings obviously would want the circumstances to be different, but the reality is he now has the rare chance to earn a major role on an NFL team. Let’s see what he does with it; running backs often come out of nowhere and develop into useful players, while others flame out quickly.
Story continues below advertisement
The Patriots must announce their Week 6 practice squad elevations by Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s game against New Orleans is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET.