Mike Vrabel Tips Hand On Looming Roster Decision Involving Patriots RB

Terrell Jennings might not be on the Patriots practice squad for much longer.

The second-year running back is out of practice squad elevations, as he was elevated to the gameday roster each of the last three weeks. New England now must decide whether to sign Jennings to the 53-man roster or release the 24-year-old and risk losing him to a waiver claim.

Mike Vrabel seemingly tipped his hand on Monday when asked about Jennings, as the Patriots head coach indicated Jennings will be promoted to the active roster.

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“I would imagine that Terrell is going to – I mean, I think we all want Terrell here,” Vrabel told reporters. “So, however we have to handle that, I mean, the only other option is just to bring him up. So, he’s been a good addition, he’s been prepared for his opportunities, helped on special teams. He had a tackle yesterday on kickoff. So, those are all really good things. I think he’s a good teammate, and so, yeah, I think that that’s only probably procedural at the end of the week.”

Vrabel has hyped up Jennings ever since Antonio Gibson suffered a season-ending ACL tear, fueling speculation the Patriots will forgo pursuing a running back ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. He even labeled Jennings as New England’s “five-minute back” following the tough running he displayed at the end of the Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Jennings spent most of last season on New England’s practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster late in the season. In three games, the Florida A&M product rushed 13 times for 33 yards.

Jennings was released after training camp in August but re-signed to the practice squad afterward. In Weeks 6 through 8, Jennings rushed seven times for 33 yards while seeing 27 snaps on special teams.