Preparing to play two NFL games in five days is tough in any situation. Doing so without three starters adds an extra layer of difficulty.
The New England Patriots announced Wednesday that they’ll be without wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, and linebacker Christian Elliss for Thursday night’s AFC East rivalry game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots will also be without No. 2 tight end Austin Hooper due to a concussion.
Hooper was the only Patriots player to miss all three practices on the short week. That means it’s likely the team will get all four players back for their Week 12 game at Cincinnati on Nov. 23.
As rookie Kyle Williams showcased last week with his electric, 72-yard touchdown reception, the Patriots are fortunate to have depth at the wide receiver position. Jack Westover, who’s played some tight end and fullback this season, should see an expanded role in Hooper’s absence, and the team could also look to utilize more heavy packages with new secret weapon Khyiris Tonga and swing tackle Vederian Lowe.
Jack Westover should see a bigger role on Thursday since Austin Hooper is dealing with a concussion, but I wonder if the #Patriots will also lean into some 6 OL packages
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) November 11, 2025
Vederian Lowe lined up at TE on a handful of snaps from Week 4-6
The position group that could become a problem area is running back, as the depth chart gets extremely thin behind TreVeyon Henderson with Stevenson out. The team has passed on adding help, outside of practice squad additions D’Ernest Johnson and Jonathan Ward, but it did offer fans a glimmer of hope on Wednesday’s final injury report.
Patriots could get key running back boost for Thursday Night Football
The name Patriots fans should be watching prior to Thursday’s kickoff is Terrell Jennings.
The second-year back excited last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after just five snaps with a knee injury. He was, however, able to practice in a limiited capacity this week, and is officially questionable to suit up against the Jets.
The Patriots need him. While Henderson’s speed can break a game open at any moment — as was on full display against Tampa Bay on Sunday — his efficiency on a down-to-down basis has been shaky, at best. New England hasn’t yet fed their explosive rookie more than 14 carries in a game, and it would be surprising at this point if he cleared that number against the Jets.
If Jennings can’t go, the Patriots will likely elevate either Ward or Rushawn Baker from the practice squad on Thursday, with Johnson mixing in as the RB2. Ward could be the preferred choice, as head coach Mike Vrabel has experience with him from their two seasons together in Tennessee; Ward was just re-signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.
The potential for Jennings to be active changes everything, as Josh McDaniels and company could enact a similar game plan to Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons; Henderson played 51 snaps in that game compared to Jennings’ 17, per PFF, and Jennings was able to proudce 35 yards and a tochdown with some nice work around the goal line.
The severity of Jennings’ injury isn’t clear, but his practice activity this week offers fans a glimmer of hope. If he’s down, the Patriots could have to get creative as they look to push their winning streak to eight games.