The New England Patriots just slammed the door on Terrell Jennings’ season. By placing the 25-year-old running back on injured reserve, the club ended his campaign before the first preseason snap against the Indianapolis Colts. This is a massive blow to a group that already looked shaky. Jennings was the clear frontrunner for the third spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Now that path is blocked by injury and uncertainty.
The Numbers Tell a Sad Story
Jennings had done enough to earn a chance. He appeared in 10 games over two seasons and rushed for his first NFL touchdown last fall. Through 37 touches, he gained 115 scrimmage yards while adding three tackles and two kickoff returns. His career spanned 79 snaps on offense and 69 on special teams. He was a reliable piece of the puzzle. Jennings has finished his second consecutive season on injured reserve, as noted by Pats Pulpit. Last year he never even activated from the list before the Super Bowl. That pattern is now a full-blown trend that the front office cannot ignore.
A Thin Depth Chart Ahead
The roster math is ugly. With Jennings out, the running back room now relies on just two locks: Stevenson and Henderson. Fullback Reggie Gilliam is also safe. That leaves one spot for a crowded field of Lan Larison, Jam Miller, Hassan Haskins, and JaMycal Hasty. Neither Larison nor Miller seized their chance while Jennings was sidelined earlier. Pats Pulpit reported that the competition has changed dramatically with Jennings gone. The team added Haskins and Hasty to fill the void, but neither has proven they can start. Haskins is a 6-foot-2, 228-pound back with 46 games of experience. Hasty is smaller at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds but has 61 games under his belt. Both offer versatility, but can they carry the load?
The situation got worse for rookie Myles Montgomery. He was waived with an injury designation and reverted to injured reserve according to the league’s transaction wire. The 23-year-old agreed to terms as an undrafted free agent in May. He rushed for 1,546 yards in college but never made an impact in Foxborough. Julian Hill, the tight end, along with wide receivers Jimmy Kibble and Jeremiah Webb, are among the five players currently on injured reserve. The team has no margin for error.
This move screams desperation.
The Patriots need a third back who can block, catch, and return kicks. Haskins and Hasty fit the bill on paper, but they’re unproven in this system. Mike Vrabel needs a guy who can step in when Stevenson or Henderson get hurt. The roster is too thin to gamble on practice squad players. If the team cuts Haskins or Hasty, they have no safety net. The depth chart looks like a house of cards waiting to fall. The season ends for Jennings, but the real test for the Patriots begins now.
