Following Antonio Gibson’s season-ending knee injury, the veteran had a simple message for second-year running back Terrell Jennings: It’s your time.
With Gibson sidelined after suffering a torn ACL Sunday
night in Buffalo, the Patriots are now left with just Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson on the active roster. That could thrust Jennings, who has spent the start of the season on the practice squad, into an elevated role.
“Me and Antonio is actually really close. That’s my locker buddy, as well. I took that hard,” Jennings said of Gibson’s message. “That’s my brother, I’m with him everyday. To see him go down like that it hurt me to the core. So I would be wrong if I don’t go down there and do my job to uphold his standard.”
Appearing in three games as a rookie in 2024, Jennings totaled just 13 rushing attempts for 33 yards. Despite not seeing any regular-season action through the first five weeks of this season, head coach Mike Vrabel shared that Jennings has made the most of his time on the practice squad.
“I think he’s a great teammate. I think he cares about the team,” Vrabel said Wednesday. “He’s able to play on special teams. He’s able to play on fourth-down. He’s got a toughness to him. I think he’s improved.”
That toughness is a defining trait for the 6-foot, 217-pound Jennings, and one he believes can help him carve out a role in the Patriots’ backfield if called upon.
“Downhill, physicality. Physical runs — that’s what I bring to the table,” Jennings said. “Pass pro as well. I just try to protect my teammates, protect the quarterback, and protect the ball as well. Getting downhill, running through and breaking tackles, that’s what I like to bring.”
As Vrabel pointed out, Jennings additionally acknowledged his ability on special teams — where he played 18 snaps as a rookie. With New England also needing to fill Gibson’s role on kickoff return, Jennings could factor into that mix. The Patriots also signed running back Jashaun Corbin, who has kick return experience, to the practice squad Tuesday.
But no matter what opportunity come, Jennings is ready to seize it.
“I’m greatly excited. Just to show the world, show these guys, show my teammates that I’m here to play for them,” Jennings said. “So that’s definitely a great opportunity.”
