Anfernee

Jennings

Patriots OLB Anfernee Jennings (illness) and OT Morgan Moses (illness) resumed practicing in full. Patriots OT Vederian Lowe (illness) remained sidelined, and did DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). All ill players have a chance to play in the Patriots’ Wild Card Round game against the Chargers.

Bradbury joins OLB Anfernee Jennings, OT Vederian Lowe, and OT Morgan Moses as players out with illness on Wednesday. The only non-illness absence on the active roster for the Pats was DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). Sitting with illness this early in the week generally does not mean the players will miss the game, but it is certainly a situation to keep an eye on for the Pats’ offensive line heading into the Wild Card round against the Chargers. Tonga is a key run stuffer that will have a couple more chances to practice ahead of Sunday’s game.

Jennings started 30 games for the Patriots from 2023 to 2024 but has been relegated to a backup role under head coach Mike Vrabel. Jennings has totaled eight tackles and one sack in the six games he’s appeared in this season, but could still help some teams in need of a boost on the defensive side of the ball. Last season he totaled 78 tackles in 16 games while totaling 2.5 sacks, and seven TFLs and earning a PFF defensive grade of 66.9.

Fellow Patriots WR K.J. Osborn (shoulder) is also questionable this week. Injuries on the defensive side of the ball piled up last week. Starting safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) are likewise questionable, as are LB Anfernee Jennings (shoulder) and CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder).

The Patriots’ front-seven is down three starters at this point. It’s an unideal situation facing the 49ers’ vaunted rushing attack. The 49ers’ pass rush should also effectively generate pressure against the Patriots’ problematic offensive line.

The Patriots’ defense has struggled to stay healthy and Jennings now adds his player to this list. He ranks or ties for first on the team in both total run-defense tackles (eight) and tackles for loss or no gain (three). The Patriots would miss him against the 49ers, if he’s inactive.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first on the scoop. KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson later noted Jennings, who had 66 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2023 with New England, has a “good chance” of reaching the contract’s max value of $24 million. A former starter for Alabama drafted by the Patriots in 2020, Jennings has been a rotational player over his three seasons with the team (he missed 2021 due to injury).

Ja’Whaun Bentley is surprisingly active, providing some stability for New England’s beat-up front-seven. Ty Johnson should have no issues shining opposite this group.

Jennings started 38-of-54 games at Alabama, projecting as a stand-up EDGE in the NFL due to his seeming lack of burst when attacking the outside shoulders of opposing tackles. With 20 pass breakups and double-digit tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons, his production does speak for itself. Jennings may struggle if asked to drop into coverage too often in the big leagues, but his pure football intelligence and discipline in sniffing out and stuffing the run should win him a rotational role in his rookie season.

Jennings (6'2"/256) started in 38 of his 54 career games with the Crimson Tide, projecting as a stand-up EDGE at the next level due to his perceived lack of burst when attacking the outside shoulders of opposing tackles. His production speaks for itself as he recorded 20 pass breakups and double-digit tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. Jennings may struggle if asked to drop into coverage too often at the next level, but his pure football intelligence and discipline in sniffing out and stuffing the run will win him a rotational role in his rookie season. He also proved he could make a living on special teams blocking units in all four years under coach Nick Saban. It’s the second versatile defensive player coach Bill Belichick has added among this class, joining Swiss-army knife DB Kyle Dugger this upcoming season.