Major shakeups are happening in Foxborough! The New England Patriots are making some key adjustments to their roster, and here's the breakdown.
First off, the Patriots have officially brought running back D'Ernest Johnson up to the main 53-man roster from their practice squad. At the same time, running back Terrell Jennings has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he'll be sidelined for a while. Adding to the changes, defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III has been elevated to the active roster from the practice squad as well.
Let's dive deeper into these moves. D'Ernest Johnson, now 29 years old, has seen action in three games for the Patriots this season, playing against Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and the New York Jets. He's a seasoned veteran, with this being his seventh season in the NFL. He's played for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Arizona Cardinals before landing in New England. Johnson, who stands at 5'11" and weighs 205 pounds, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Browns back in 2019. He then moved on to the Jaguars in 2023, the Ravens in 2025, and spent time on the Ravens' and Cardinals' practice squads. The Cardinals released him on October 28, 2025, after he played in one game, and the Patriots scooped him up the very next day, October 29. Throughout his career, Johnson has played in 99 games, starting 3, with 219 rushing attempts for 996 yards and 3 touchdowns. He's also caught 53 passes for 465 yards and has returned 33 kicks for 772 yards. That's a lot of production!
Now, let's look at Leonard Taylor III. The 23-year-old defensive lineman was added to the Patriots' practice squad on October 16, 2025. He initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2024. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 305 pounds, Taylor has played in 16 NFL games, recording 27 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 passes defensed. He was released by the Jets on October 14, 2025, after appearing in two games this season.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could these moves signal a shift in the Patriots' strategy? Are they looking to inject fresh talent or adjust to injuries?
What do you think of these roster changes? Do you believe these moves will positively impact the team? Share your thoughts in the comments!
