By trading away defensive end Keion White and safety Kyle Dugger on Tuesday, the New England Patriots signaled that they’re preparing to take a big swing before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. The Patriots now own 10 picks in the first six rounds, four of them being sixth-round selections, and are in great shape to acquire an instant contributor to boost their playoff push.
Despite losing running back Antonio Gibson for the season, recent rumors suggest the Patriots plan to acquire a prominent edge rusher, such as Kayvon Thibodeaux or Arden Key, to improve their pass rush that currently ranks 13th in sacks (19) and 26th in pressure percentage (18%). Their trades on Tuesday, combined with the signing of running back Terrell Jennings to the 53-man roster, signal that the team won’t be looking for a running back via trade.
Patriots’ Terrell Jennings Earns Spot as Team’s Third-String RB
The Patriots weren’t in a rush to replace Gibson once it was announced he would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Despite signing multiple running backs to their practice squad, the Patriots turned to Jennings to fill Gibson’s void as their third-string running back.
Jennings, 24, is playing in his second season with the Patriots after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Last year, he managed to appear in three games, attempting just 13 rushes for 33 yards.
This year, Jennings was able to carve out another role on the team’s practice squad under new head coach Mike Vrabel. He’s been elevated from the practice squad for the last three games, primarily contributing on the special teams. Jennings has done a solid job on special teams, recording one tackle, earning a 79.6 special teams grade via Pro Football Focus.
While Jennings has been a fine addition to the special teams, he’s also displayed his power-back ability in limited offensive snaps. Jennings has rushed for 33 yards on seven carries on the season. Although he only had two carries in Sunday’s win against the Cleveland Browns, he had an impressive 11-yard carry in the team’s final possession.
By signing to the active roster, Jennings has earned the trust of Vrabel to be the team’s third-string back. Although the majority of the workload has been given to Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, Jennings showcased his capability to contribute in short-yardage situations.
While Jennings doesn’t offer the receiving skillset that Gibson does, he’s proven to be a viable option on special teams, providing New England with a capable alternative when Stevenson or Henderson need a play to rest. By establishing him as the third-string role, it gives the Patriots a dependable option in the backfield, allowing them to improve other areas of the roster via trade.