Following an upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, the New England Patriots received bad news concerning running back Antonio Gibson as the veteran suffered a torn ACL, ending his season.
Heading into Week 6, the Patriots are down to two running backs on the active roster: Rhamondre Stevenson and second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson. In the NFL, you need more than 2 running backs on the roster due to the nature of the position; the Patriots will add one soon. In fact, one running back on the practice squad is already trying to win over head coach Mike Vrabel and earn that third spot on the active roster.
Terrell Jennings is Ready to Play After Injury to Antonio Gibson
During their time with the media after the team's Wednesday practice, Terrell Jennings drew a large crowd of reporters. With Gibson out, Jennings could really take advantage of this opportunity and make a push to become a member of the Patriots' active roster. Coincidentally, his locker is right next to Gibson's, who was motivating him after the team's practice.
The former Florida A&M Rattler signed with the Patriots following the 2024 NFL draft, in which he went undrafted. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad, making three appearances for the team. When on the field, Jennings had 13 carries for 33 yards and was targeted once with no receptions. Jennings would return to the Patriots, once again being signed to the practice squad following the conclusion of the 2025 preseason.
One strength during his time in college was the fact that Jennings never fumbled the ball in his 383 rushing attempts. Even though Stevenson had a strong performance against the Bills in Week 5, his tendency to fumble hurt the Patriots early. Given his reliable ball security, Jennings could be a good addition to the backfield.
For Jennings to be eligible to play, he doesn't need to be signed to the active roster just yet. Each NFL team can activate players from the practice squad for up to three games in a season. This allows the Patriots to give Jennings some looks to see what he could offer without being forced to keep him in that spot for the remainder of the season.
If Jennings were to be elevated to the active roster for Week 6, he'd join the Patriots for their matchup on the road against the New Orleans Saints. Through five weeks, the Saints are squarely in the middle of the pack in terms of overall defense, as they are ranked as the 17th-best unit in the NFL. Breaking things down even further, the Saints are ranked 9th in pass defense and 20th in run defense. With the Saints' issues against the run, Jennings, if elevated, could be in line for a solid season debut.