Terrell Jennings saw limited playing time in three games for the Patriots in 2024 and ran for a touchdown in the preseason opener this year against the Commanders.
Terrell Jennings saw limited playing time in three games for the Patriots in 2024 and ran for a touchdown in the preseason opener this year against the Commanders.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Patriots traveled to New Orleans Saturday to take on the 1-4 Saints this Sunday.
Here are five things to watch for …
How will the coaching staff split the running back snaps?
After placing Antonio Gibson on injured reserve with a torn ACL, the Patriots temporarily elevated Terrell Jennings from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
The 24-year-old Jennings (6 feet, 217 pounds) said this week he believes he can bring a “downhill physicality” to the offense, specifically mentioning his ability to break tackles.
This weekend will mark the first opportunity for Jennings to play meaningful snaps in the NFL. After going undrafted out of Florida A&M in 2024, he spent last season on New England’s practice squad. He recorded just 38 snaps when active for three games — the bulk of which came in the regular-season finale — rushing 13 times for 33 yards.
“I’m greatly excited just to show the world, show these guys, show my teammates that I’m here to play for them and do it all for my team,” Jennings said. “Coming into the week, [my teammates are like], ‘Come on. It’s your time to go.’ It’s your time to do your job, really. That’s what I hear: Just do your job.”
So, how much will Jennings actually be involved?
The most probable role for Jennings is to provide depth in the backfield and to return kicks. Even with Rhamondre Stevenson’s recurring fumbles, it would be surprising if Jennings came close to out-snapping him.
Relatedly, will the run game finally get going?
The Patriots rank 27th in the league in average rushing yards per game (95.2) and 28th in average yards per rushing attempt (3.7).
“It’s got to be better,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “It has to be better at the line of scrimmage, at the second level, and then continue to try to finish to break some of these. We’ve had some good runs, just not enough of them. Not enough double-digit runs that help your average. I think that we’ve got to stop talking about being one guy away or one block away.”
New Orleans is surrendering an average of 122.2 rushing yards, which ranks 13th highest, with an average of 4.2 yards per carry, tied for 18th highest.
Will Christian Gonzalez play?
After missing the first three games of the season, cornerback Christian Gonzalez popped back up on the injury report as a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practices because of his hamstring issue.
“We’ll continue to monitor him and see where that goes,” Vrabel said. “We’ll try to make a decision at 10:30 a.m. [Central time], 90 minutes before the game. That’s where we’re at. We’ll have to have a plan if he doesn’t go, and we’ll have a plan if he does go. Just like everybody else.”
If Gonzalez doesn’t suit up, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones will likely take on bigger assignments.
Alex Austin could also see some action again, after not playing a single snap in Week 5. Austin played 100 percent of the defense’s snaps in Week 1, but saw a steady decrease in playing time, even with Gonzalez sidelined, as a result of his struggles in coverage.
How will the Patriots fill their absences on defense?
The Patriots will be without safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle), and defensive end Keion White (elbow) — all of whom the team ruled out Friday.
Hawkins is the only starter of the bunch, and he was on the field for 90 percent of the defense’s snaps through five games. The Patriots will have to turn to Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus, or core special teamer Brenden Schooler to play alongside rookie Craig Woodson.
Dugger is the most experienced and proven player, but has been demoted to a lesser role since training camp. He played just one defensive snap last week against Buffalo, while Schooler played two, and Pettus didn’t play.
“I think they’re ready to go,” Vrabel said. “They’ve all been practicing, preparing. I feel good about any of those guys. From Dell playing or School playing, those guys are working hard.”
Can the Patriots take care of business against what appears to be an inferior opponent?
After an emotional, statement win in Buffalo last week, wide receiver Stefon Diggs called the upcoming game against the Saints “a bigger test, as far as having success and being able to replicate that process.”
“I think it’s super important that we flip the page,” Diggs said. “Obviously, we got a big win, but moving forward is going to be key for us as far as how we want our season to go.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.