Pats Pulpit
The final standard elevations are in the rearview for D’Ernest Johnson and Darius Harris.
Both vested veterans reverted to the New England Patriots’ practice squad on Friday after serving as call-ups for the third time since landing in Foxborough. Under NFL rules, any further appearances during the regular season would require moves to the 53-man roster to take the field.
The 27-14 win over the New York Jets marked the third game in a row for the running back and the second game in a row for the linebacker.
Johnson, 29, spelled Tre’Veyon Henderson as the rookie turned 24 touches into 93 yards and three touchdowns from scrimmage. He did so as the No. 2 back in place of Terrell Jennings, who was active but did not play after being listed as questionable with a knee injury suffered last weekend. The backfield depth chart also went without incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson for a third consecutive game due to a toe injury.
Thursday night at Gillette Stadium saw Johnson rush for six yards across three carries. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound South Florida product has handled 14 offensive snaps since signing to the practice squad in late October. He previously logged nine snaps on special teams while serving as second kickoff returner alongside Efton Chism III.
Now 99 games into his NFL run, Johnson went undrafted in 2018. Following a stop with the Alliance of American Football’s Orlando Apollos, he caught on with the Cleveland Browns and earned FedEx Ground Player of the Week in 2021. Stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals followed. Standing with three starts and three touchdowns, his career includes 219 rushes for 996 yards and 53 receptions for 467 yards.
Harris, 29, played 18 snaps on special teams during Thursday’s AFC East meeting and notched two tackles on kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker again worked as a core-four contributor with Christian Elliss sidelined by a hip injury.
Previously elevated against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, Harris has totaled 52 snaps in the transitional phase to go with four stops. He joined the practice squad a week prior to the September opener.
Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Harris has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He has appeared in 40 games, starting six on defense, and collected three Super Bowl rings. The Middle Tennessee alum’s career has included 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s side moves forward with a 9-2 record and will visit the Cincinnati Bengals next week for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Paycor Stadium.
