FOXBORO — Three Patriots defenders were not participating at the beginning of Friday’s practice.
Defensive end Keion White (elbow), outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring) were present but working off to the side during the portion of practice open to the media. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) was limited in practice Thursday but participated in stretching on Friday.
Cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton said Thursday that Gonzalez’s limited status was pre-planned.
Starting outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson has been limited in practice this week after missing Sunday’s win over the Bills with a knee injury. If White and Jennings can’t play Sunday against the Saints, then undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder will likely take on a bigger role behind starter Harold Landry III.
The Patriots will likely need to elevate another pass rusher or two from the practice squad this week, depending on the status of Chaisson, White and Jennings. The Patriots have Bradyn Swinson and Truman Jones on the practice squad. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai can also play on the edge.
Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said Swinson, an LSU grade, has had a good last three weeks of practice.
“He’s trimming up. He is working,” Smith told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. “These last three weeks, I actually told him before practice how proud I was of him. He’s really developing and guys like that, younger guys, it takes time, when they get in a rhythm and a routine of things and feel how the NFL is. It’s different, obviously, in college.”
Swinson was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft but was released during NFL cutdowns. He re-signed to the practice squad and has yet to be elevated for a game.
Running back Terrell Jennings, who also might need to be promoted from the practice squad to back up Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, had been imitating Alvin Kamara in a No. 41 jersey early in the week. Jennings was back in his usual No. 26 jersey on Friday, and recent practice-squad signing Jashaun Corbin was imitating Kamara.
