The New England Patriots will return after serving their bye in Week 14, and they will do so with a team that owns the top spot in the AFC despite their lackluster rushing attack. The Patriots entered Monday with the NFL’s 21st-ranked rushing attack at 112.9 yards per game, and they’ve slowly been pulling away from Rhamondre Stevenson to give rookie TreVeyon Henderson a larger role.
Even with two running backs involved, the Patriots needed depth in the backfield, leading to the addition of Craig Reynolds to the practice squad on Nov. 28. As it turns out, Reynolds may be needed sooner than expected after Terrell Jennings was not spotted at Monday’s practice, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
With Jennings returning from a concussion suffered in a Week 13 win over the New York Giants, it’s uncertain when he could return to the field. While he could pass protocol earlier in the week, it could open an opportunity for Reynolds, who could get some unexpected action in New England’s backfield.
Patriots Could Turn to Craig Reynolds If Terrell Jennings Can’t Go vs. Bills
Reynolds was released by the Detroit Lions on Nov. 26 after spending the past five seasons with the Detroit Lions. The 29-year-old was never a big part of the Lions’ rushing attack behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, but he has contributed at times with 153 carries for 654 yards and a touchdown.
While Reynolds was also a contributor on special teams, the Lions waived Reynolds as part of a roster crunch with Marcus Davenport and Miles Frazier returning from injured reserve, and the Patriots scooped him up immediately, signing him to the practice squad two days after his release.
Even though he found another opportunity quickly, it’s unknown what type of role Reynolds will have. But if Jennings can’t return to practice after a bye week, it doesn’t seem to bode well for his availability against the Bills.
Like Reynolds, Jennings has been used sparingly in his first two seasons with the Patriots. After tallying just 13 carries for 33 yards during his rookie season, he had 23 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown before the injury. He also earned praise from head coach Mike Vrabel after toting the ball 11 times for 35 yards and a touchdown while filling in for Stevenson in a Nov. 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“(He) has run hard (and) been ready for his opportunity,” Vrabel said last month via Sleeper’s Carlos A. Lopez. “I thought he spelled TreVeyon well. I thought they were able to keep some snaps off TreVeyon, and when we needed him. Terrell is taking advantage of his opportunities. He’s tasted it now and doesn’t want to give it up.”
Jennings didn’t have a monster role and had just five carries in three games since Vrabel’s comments. But it’s still a way for Reynolds to possibly see the field on Sunday, and it could help the Patriots figure out their running game ahead of a crucial AFC East matchup.