The New England Patriots’ running back position remains in flux.
Since veteran Antonio Gibson went down with a season-ending injury in Week 5, the Patriots have made several minor transactions at the position, elevating practice-squad running back Terrell Jennings to the 53-man roster, signing Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad, placing Corbin on injured reserve, then signing Rushawn Baker and Jonathan Ward to the practice squad Tuesday.
On Wednesday, New England added another back to the practice squad — this time a more well-known name in veteran D’Ernest Johnson.
A six-year veteran, Johnson began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, where he spent three seasons and racked up 534 yards on 100 carries during the 2021 campaign. After a two-year tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2023 to 2024, he had brief stints on the Baltimore Ravens’ and Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad this year.
While Johnson isn’t exactly a household name, he’s technically the second-most experienced ball-carrier in a Patriots running back room led by Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. And with Stevenson missing Wednesday’s practice due to a toe injury, it’s worth wondering if Johnson would be elevated to the active roster on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons if Stevenson isn’t able to suit up.
Either way, it’s clear the Patriots are actively pursuing depth at the running back position. And it’s possible they also could look to the trade market, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that running back and edge rusher are viewed as New England’s biggest priorities ahead of next Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Will Stevenson end up playing Sunday, and do the Patriots feel comfortable enough with their current running back room after adding Johnson? Or will they pursue more external options on the trade market?
We’ll find out answers to all of those questions in the coming days.
