What was imminent became official in Foxborough on Friday.
The New England Patriots placed running back Antonio Gibson on injured reserve ahead of the Week 6 road trip.
Gibson, 27, sustained a torn ACL on a kickoff
return last Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. Following the 23-20 win at Highmark Stadium, the veteran continued to reside on the 53-man roster. He was listed as a non-participant for three consecutive practices before being ruled out on the final injury report.
Signing as a free agent from the Washington Commanders in 2024, Gibson stands 22 appearances into his stay. It has spanned 411 snaps on offense and 96 snaps in the kicking game. The all-purpose back has scored three touchdowns across 644 rushing yards, 214 receiving yards and 581 return yards. And in September, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Gibson, a former wide receiver by way of East Central Community College and the University of Memphis, entered the NFL in the third round of the 2020 draft at No. 66 overall. His three-year, $11.25 million contract with New England runs through next season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel described the delayed move to injured reserve as “procedural.” It leaves follow-ups on the horizon.
At running back, the Patriots currently carry starter Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson on the active roster. But Terrell Jennings, a top promotion candidate, is joined on the practice squad by recent addition Jashaun Corbin.
Edge depth is also expected to be called upon after elbow and ankle injuries saw Keion White and Anfernee Jennings ruled out.
The New Orleans Saints host Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at the Caesars Superdome. The deadline for gameday transactions is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
