Without a doubt, the New England Patriots have had a subpar rushing attack this season.
Entering Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, starter Rhamondre Stevenson had a dismal 3.1 yards-per-carry average, while rookie TreVeyon Henderson had just 3.6 per touch. Kick returner and rotational back Antonio Gibson was ruled out for the season a few weeks ago after tearing his ACL against the Buffalo Bills, leaving the former two backs as the only ones left on the 53-man roster. To this point, the team has opted against adding a third running back to the depth chart.
Carrying two running backs is not ideal, especially considering the fumbling history of Stevenson, and Henderson's ineffectiveness through seven games.
Against the Saints, the Patriots elevated running back Terrell Jennings from the practice squad, but he did not play an offensive snap. Sunday was a different story, though, as he was elevated again, and this time carried the ball five times for 18 yards.
In a postgame video shared by Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, Mike Vrabel was seen excitedly shouting that the team found their "five-minute back," while congratulating Jennings. The second-year pro had the game-sealing rush on fourth-and-2, allowing backup quarterback Josh Dobbs to kneel out the clock in New England's 31-13 win over the Titans.
Mama knows best!! I said if you feed him, he will eat!! That’s My Boyyy!!!
— LaTonya White (formerly Nelson) (@thatsMyBoyyy23) October 19, 2025
Finishing with the football has been a big Vrabel talking point this season. Based on his excitement, it seems the Patriots' head coach loves what the team has in their mostly forgotten young back.
A more concrete decision could be coming soon. Jennings will be eligible to be elevated one more time this season before he must stick on the active roster, or permanently remain on the practice squad for the rest of 2025.
Terrell Jennings might be the answer at No. 3 running back the Patriots are looking for
The Patriots have been looking for an answer to their RB3 dilemma, and it seems they might have found it.
Jennings is a Jacksonville native who played his college football at Florida A&M. In his 44 games with the Rattlers, he eclipsed 1,800 yards, or just 40 yards per game. The impressive piece was his efficiency, as he recorded 6.6 yards per carry. He had a PFF grade north of 76.0 over his final two seasons, including two fumbles and just one penalty over that time frame.
Jennings spent 2024 with the Patriots' practice squad, but did make three appearances. Through those games, he had 13 carries for 33 yards. This past preseason, he had six carries for 19 yards and a touchdown, as he competed with UDFA Lan Larison (who was eventually placed on injured reserve) for the RB4 role.
While the team should still be looking to make a more long-term addition to the running back room, they may be in a better spot than originally expected.
Stevenson's 18 carries garnered a season-high 88 yards on Sunday. Henderson is still young and an excellent athlete, and Jennings clearly caught Vrabel's attention with how he finished the Titans game, even in mop-up duty.
Patriots fans should expect Jennings to be elevated again next week and signed to the roster soon after, especially considering the team has an open roster spot. They may have found a spark in their backfield that nobody was expecting.