The Patriots suffered their first major injury Sunday when Antonio Gibson went down with a season-ending torn ACL.
Gibson was not a starter, however he performed an vital function on the group as a change-of-pace working again who may very well be trusted in an early-down function. The Patriots leaned on Gibson closely in Weeks 3 and 5 after Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled.
He additionally confirmed off his significance on particular groups within the group’s Week 2 win over the Dolphins when he returned a kick 90 yards for a landing.
The harm leaves the Patriots with Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson as the one wholesome working backs on the 53-man roster.
Listed below are some methods the Patriots can fill the void left by Gibson.
Terrell Jennings
Jennings gives extra working again depth from the observe squad. He went undrafted out of Florida A&M in 2024 and appeared in three video games final season, carrying the ball 13 occasions for 33 yards. He didn’t catch one goal within the passing sport.
At 6-feet, 217 kilos, Jennings is an even bigger again who can carry the ball between the tackles. He completed his faculty profession with 381 carries for 1,754 yards with 24 touchdowns, additionally including 19 catches for 163 yards with a landing.
Jennings, a highschool classmate of Patriots vast receiver DeMario Douglas, ran a 4.66-second 40-yard sprint at his professional day final spring with a 35-inch vertical leap, 9-feet, 10-inch broad bounce, 4.61-second brief shuttle and seven.72-second 3-cone drill.
He’s primarily been used on the scout group to mimic the opposing group’s greatest working again this season.
Different observe squad choices
The Patriots might additionally signal a participant off of one other group’s observe squad and onto their 53-man roster.
There are comparatively well-known names with in depth NFL expertise on observe squad across the NFL. Just a few names you would possibly acknowledge: JaMycal Hasty (Dolphins), Jeff Wilson (Dolphins), Trey Sermon (Steelers), Ameer Abdullah (Colts), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs), Cam Akers (Vikings), D’Ernest Johnson (Cardinals) and Myles Gaskins (Seahawks).
Abdullah, 32, performed beneath offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with the Raiders. Wilson, 29, had 531 profession carries since coming into the NFL in 2018 with the 49ers. Hasty was with the Patriots as not too long ago as this summer season.
Commerce choices
We’ve already seen one working again commerce this season when the Eagles acquired Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars.
Would the Brown unload Jerome Ford, since Quinshon Judkins has appeared glorious since his Week 3 debut? Dameon Pierce performed nicely as a rookie for the Texans in 2022 however has simply 10 touches this season. Zamir White was drafted by McDaniels in 2022 and likewise has simply 10 touches on the season enjoying behind rookie Ashton Jeanty. A.J. Dillon (Eagles) and Devin Singletary (Giants) are additionally buried on depth charts.
Avenue free brokers
The Patriots might additionally take a low-risk transfer of signing a road free agent to the observe squad.
There are many youthful gamers out there, however the next veterans additionally aren’t currenly signed: D’Onta Foreman, Joshua Kelley, Gus Edwards, Zack Moss and Jamaal Williams.
If the Pariots signal a working again to their observe squad, they may give Jennings a chance to tackle an even bigger function first whereas nonetheless including extra depth on the place.
