The New England Patriots entered the season with three running backs on their 53-man roster. Out of those, only one will be active on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons — and it’s the least experienced
of the bunch, a theme for the whole position group in Week 9.
With Rhamondre Stevenson (toe/inactive) and Antonio Gibson (knee/IR) both unavailable, the Patriots will rely on second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson as their top running back. Behind him are a pair of players who recently spent time on the team’s practice squad. Sophomore Terrell Jennings was just promoted to the active roster this week in the aftermath of the Kyle Dugger and Keion White trades, while D’Ernest Johnson joined the team’s practice squad on Wednesday before being elevated to the game day team on Saturday.
Out of those three backs, Johnson is the most experienced: he has played 98 total games since entering the league in 2019. That said, his exposure to the Patriots’ scheme is rather limited given that he has spent a grand total of three practices and one walkthrough in it.
Henderson and Jennings, meanwhile, have played 14 combined games in their careers. What role exactly they and Johnson will play on Sunday will be seen. One thing is clear, though: inexperience is the group’s defining trait.
The Patriots’ full game day roster for Sunday’s game looks as follows:
Patriots game day roster: Week 9 vs. Falcons
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): TreVeyon Henderson (32), Terrell Jennings (26), D’Ernest Johnson (34), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE)
Wide receiver (6): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Mack Hollins (13), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18), Efton Chism III (86 | KR)
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Vederian Lowe (59), Marcus Bryant (52)
Interior offensive line (4): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77)
Interior defensive line (5): Christian Barmore (90), Milton Williams (97), Khyiris Tonga (95), Joshua Farmer (92), Cory Durden (94)
Defensive edge (4): Harold Landry III (2), K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Anfernee Jennings (33), Elijah Ponder (91)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Jahlani Tavai (48), Jack Gibbens (51), Marte Mapu (15)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Alex Austin (28)
Safety (4): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
With Kyle Dugger shipped to Pittsburgh and his quasi replacement, recent Miami Dolphins practice squad steal John Saunders Jr, inactive, the Patriots are rather light at the safety position. Beyond starters Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson, second-year man Dell Pettus projects as the third option with special teams ace Brenden Schooler a potential package or emergency player as well.
Elsewhere, there are few surprises. The most notable change compared to last week other than the trades and Rhamondre Stevenson being out is rookie Efton Chism returning to the lineup as the presumed primary kickoff returner and No. 6 wide receiver.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (6): QB3 Tommy DeVito (16), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (38), OL Caedan Wallace (70), DT Eric Gregory (55), ED Caleb Murphy (45), S John Saunders Jr. (23)
Practice squad (15): RB Jonathan Ward (30), RB Rushawn Baker (49), WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), TE C.J. Dippre (82), OL Sebastian Gutierrez (72), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Brenden Jaimes (61), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), DT Leonard Taylor III (93), ED Bradyn Swinson (43), LB Darius Harris (42), CB Miles Battle (35), CB Kobee Minor (19), S Richie Grant (39)
Practice squad/exempt (1): TE Thomas Odukoya (88 | IPPP)
Practice squad/injured (1): RB Jashaun Corbin
Reserve/injured (8): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, RB Antonio Gibson
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
The turnover experienced by the Patriots’ running back group extended to the practice squad even beyond signing D’Ernest Johnson. The team also added Rushawn Baker and Jonathan Ward while simultaneously moving Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad injury list.
The Patriots’ game against the Falcons at Gillette Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
