If you’ve never heard the name Terrell Jennings, don’t worry, because you’re not alone. But that might be about to change in a big way. With Rhamondre Stevenson ruled out for Week 9 due to a toe injury, the Patriots could be rolling into Sunday’s home matchup against the Falcons with just two healthy running backs on the active roster: rookie TreVeyon Henderson and second-year UDFA grinder Terrell Jennings.
Fantasy managers scrambling for a streamer (especially in deeper leagues or those looking for a desperation play) should be paying attention. Terrell Jennings’ fantasy outlook could go from completely off the radar to a legitimate flex option, all in the span of a week.
FROM FLORIDA A&M TO FOXBORO
Jennings wasn’t exactly a household name coming out of Florida A&M. He was an undrafted free agent in 2024, joining the Patriots as a developmental power back. At his pro day, Jennings ran a 4.66 40-yard dash, which didn’t exactly light up scouts’ faces, but he made his mark with toughness and contact balance.
In college, Jennings never posted gaudy stat lines; his best season saw just 673 rushing yards and seven receptions, but he made every touch count. Per FantasyPros, among 290 qualifying FBS and FCS running backs in his final season, he ranked sixth in yards after contact per attempt, tenth in elusive rating, and 37th in breakaway percentage. That’s impressive company for a player from a smaller program. The advanced metrics showed a runner who thrives on contact, breaks tackles, and keeps his legs churning, which is the kind of physical, downhill runner that Mike Vrabel loves.
NEXT MAN UP
Jennings’ NFL journey has been about persistence. After spending most of his rookie season on the Patriots’ practice squad, he appeared in just three games in 2024, rushing 13 times for 33 yards.
Fast forward to 2025, and Jennings once again started the season buried on the practice squad, but injuries opened the door. He’s been elevated for the past three games, contributing primarily on special teams, where he’s been excellent, recording a tackle and earning a 79.6 special teams grade from PFF.
However, in limited offensive snaps, Jennings has flashed the same traits that made him intriguing at Florida A&M. This season, he’s rushed seven times for 33 yards, including an eye-catching 11-yard burst in last week’s win over the Browns. That run came on the team’s final possession and was a glimpse of what Jennings might bring to the table if given a real workload. He also got a shout out from Vrabel after a strong performance at the end of the game vs the Titans, calling Jennings the team’s “five-minute” back.
Vrabel clearly trusts him because he was signed to the active roster this week, solidifying his role as the team’s likely early-down bruiser with Stevenson sidelined.
TERRELL JENNINGS VS TREVEYON HENDERSON
With Stevenson out, the Patriots are expected to split the backfield between Henderson and Jennings. Henderson will likely handle the passing-down and two-minute work since he’s the more explosive athlete and proved last week he can create chunk plays, finally breaking out in Week 7 by rushing for 75 yards on 10 carries in the win over Cleveland. Jennings, meanwhile, projects as the early-down and short-yardage option, which is a natural fit for his powerful running style.
Vrabel hasn’t been shy about using a committee, and this could be another case where both backs get meaningful touches. In deep fantasy leagues, Jennings has flex appeal. If he gets 10 to 12 carries and perhaps goal-line opportunities, he could easily sneak into double-digit fantasy points, especially in half-PPR formats.
JUICY WEEK 9 MATCHUP VS FALCONS
The matchup couldn’t be much better for a player stepping into a larger role.
Since Week 4, the Falcons’ run defense has fallen apart, allowing the third-most rushing yards per game, the fifth-most yards after contact per attempt, and the sixth-lowest stuff rate, per FantasyPros. Those numbers show a defense struggling to win at the line of scrimmage and failing to bring down runners after initial contact.
That’s the exact kind of defense Jennings can exploit. His strength lies in grinding out tough yards after contact, and the Falcons have been giving those up in bunches. If the Patriots can control the tempo and lean on their ground game, Jennings could easily see double-digit carries in this matchup. He’s also the favorite for goal-line work, which gives him touchdown upside that many waiver wire backs simply don’t offer (I LOVE his +330 anytime touchdown odds).
TERRELL JENNINGS FANTASY OUTLOOK
So, what’s Jennings’ realistic fantasy outlook? He’s unlikely to see 20 touches or dominate the snap count, but he doesn’t have to. In an offense that’s rediscovering its identity under Vrabel, the Patriots have shown they want to establish the run early and often.
If New England keeps things close against Atlanta, expect Henderson to handle around 12-15 touches, primarily through creative zone and outside runs. At the same time, Jennings should see roughly 10 carries, primarily in short-yardage and early-down situations. Jennings may not bring much to the table in the passing game, but his physical running style and potential red-zone role make him an intriguing gamble.
For fantasy managers in deeper leagues or those dealing with bye weeks, Jennings is a worthwhile speculative add and stash because we don’t know the severity of Stevenson’s toe injury. If he performs well, his role could stick around even after Stevenson returns, especially if the team wants to keep their lead back fresh down the stretch.
If Vrabel sticks to his power-running roots, Terrell Jennings might just power his way into fantasy relevance this Sunday. Henderson checks in at RB21, while Jennings surprisingly sits on the outside looking in on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
