Pats Pulpit
The backfield depth chart continues to deepen at Gillette Stadium.
The New England Patriots signed running back D’Ernest Johnson to the practice squad as a series of moves became official on Wednesday.
Johnson, 29, had been released from the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals the afternoon prior. A veteran of 96 NFL games, the South Florida product has amassed 989 yards through 215 carries and 465 yards through 53 catches. His career includes three touchdowns as well as three starts. Adding experience as a returner, he has seen 892 snaps on offense and 931 snaps on special teams.
A year after going undrafted, Johnson set out in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football with the 2019 Orlando Apollos. He entered the NFL ranks with the Cleveland Browns that spring and went on to be named FedEx Ground Player of the Week in 2021 after rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens followed before the 5-foot-10, 208-pound back headed to the NFC West at the end of September.
To make room among the 17-man group, the Patriots finalized an expected promotion.
The organization signed Terrell Jennings to the 53-man roster after the sophomore running back reached the NFL limit in standard elevations from the practice squad. Two trades a week away from the league’s deadline created vacancies.
Jennings, 24, reverted for the third and final time on Monday. The Florida A&M alum had rounded out an active backfield depth chart led by starter Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson following veteran Antonio Gibson’s move to injured reserve. He will now do so as a full-time member.
October brought 14 snaps on offense and 27 snaps on special teams for Jennings, who rushed for 33 yards across seven carries and recorded his first career tackle in kickoff coverage. Originally agreeing to terms as an undrafted free agent post-rookie minicamp in 2024, he also spent last year between New England’s practice squad and 53-man roster. The 6-foot, 217-pound back was retained on the scout team at its formation upon clearing waivers in August.
“I think we all want Terrell here,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters earlier in the week. “So, however we have to handle that, I mean, the only other option is just to bring him up. He’s been a good addition. He’s been prepared for his opportunity. He’s helped on special teams, had a tackle [Sunday] on kickoff. And so, those are all really good things. I think he’s a good teammate. So, yeah, I think that’s only probably procedural at the end of the week.”
The 6-2 club recently signed running backs Jonathan Ward and Rushawn Baker to the practice squad.
The Atlanta Falcons visit Foxborough for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday.
