The New England Patriots' kickoff return game is set to undergo another transformation for their Week 8 clash with the Cleveland Browns. Antonio Gibson and Efton Chism, who have been featured in this role, will not be active on Sunday. Gibson's season is over due to a torn ACL, while Chism has been deemed a healthy scratch once again. This leaves the field open for a new player to step up and handle the kickoff return duties.
Our prediction points to Terrell Jennings, who has been practicing alongside Chism in recent weeks, as a likely candidate to take on this role. But who else could fill this position? Running back TreVeyon Henderson, who initially lined up as a kickoff returner for the first five games, has been moved to the No. 2 position after Gibson's injury. Wide receivers DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams, as well as safety Richie Grant, are also in the running for this role.
The Patriots' full game-day roster for the Browns game is as follows:
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE), Terrell Jennings (26 | KR)
Wide receiver (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Mack Hollins (13), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18)
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Vederian Lowe (59), Marcus Bryant (52)
Interior offensive line (4): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77)
Interior defensive line (5): Christian Barmore (90), Milton Williams (97), Khyiris Tonga (95), Joshua Farmer (92), Cory Durden (94)
Defensive edge (4): Harold Landry III (2), K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Anfernee Jennings (33), Elijah Ponder (91)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Jahlani Tavai (48), Jack Gibbens (51), Marte Mapu (15)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Alex Austin (28)
Safety (5): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41), Richie Grant (39)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
The safety position sees a notable change, with starter Jaylinn Hawkins returning after missing two games due to a hamstring issue. His replacement, Kyle Dugger, is out with a knee injury. The Patriots are also opting for four outside linebackers, with Keion White being a healthy scratch, possibly due to his pass-game focus. Anfernee Jennings has been chosen as the third edge rusher, supporting starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson against the Browns' likely run-heavy strategy.
Patriots Inactives:
Inactives (7): QB3 Tommy DeVito (16), WR Efton Chism III (86), OL Caedan Wallace (70), DT Eric Gregory (55), ED Keion White (99), ED Caleb Murphy (45), S Kyle Dugger (23)
Practice squad (14): RB Jashaun Corbin (30), WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), TE C.J. Dippre (82), OL Sebastian Gutierrez (72), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Brenden Jaimes (61), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), DT Leonard Taylor III (93), ED Truman Jones (54), ED Bradyn Swinson (43), LB Darius Harris (42), CB Miles Battle (35), CB Kobee Minor (19)
Practice squad exempt (1): TE Thomas Odukoya (88 | IPPP)
Reserve/injured (9): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, G Layden Robinson, RB Antonio Gibson
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
The Patriots' reserves remain unchanged from last week, except for Terrell Jennings, who has been elevated a maximum of three times and may see a shift in the near future. The game against the Browns at Gillette Stadium will commence at 1 p.m. ET.
