After the team lost Antonio Gibson to a season-ending injury, the Patriots have added a replacement to the roster.
On Saturday, the Patriots elevated running back Terrell Jennings to their game-day roster. Jennings, 24, came to New England as an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M. He made his NFL debut with the Patriots last season.
This week, Jennings said he plans to bring an added element to the team’s offense.
“Just downhill physicality. Physical runs. That’s what I bring to the table,” Jennings said. “Pass pro as well. I try to protect my teammates, protect the quarterback, and protect the ball as well. So, getting downhill, running through, breaking tackles. That’s what I bring to the table.”
Last season, Jennings started the year on the Patriots practice squad. He was later signed to the team’s 53-man roster and appeared in three games, rushing for 33 yards on 13 carries. Jennings played 28 offensive snaps and 18 special snaps as a rookie.
Last weekend, Gibson suffered a season-ending knee injury. The veteran contributed on offense and special teams for the Patriots. He led the team and ranked fifth in the NFL in kick returns, averaging 28.5 yards. Gibson also averaged a team-high 4.2 yards per carry (106 yards on 25 attempts).
The Patriots will carry on with running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Treveyon Henderson leading the way. Historically, the team carries at least three running backs. That led the team to adding Jennings, who has the locker right next to Gibson.
“He told me, ‘It’s your time, man, come on, it’s time to go,’” Jennings said. “I took that hard, because that’s my brother. I’m with him every day. And to see him go down like that, it hurt me to the core. So I would be wrong if I didn’t go out there and do my job to uphold his standard.”
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