Patriots Announce a Series of Roster Adjustments
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have announced a set of roster moves. They signed running back D’Ernest Johnson to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and placed running back Terrell Jennings on injured reserve. Additionally, defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
Johnson, 29, has been an active contributor for three consecutive games after being elevated from the practice squad. He appeared against Atlanta (Nov. 2), at Tampa Bay (Nov. 9), and versus the New York Jets (Nov. 13). Now in his seventh NFL season, Johnson has previously spent time with the Cleveland Browns (2019–2022), Jacksonville Jaguars (2023–24), Baltimore Ravens (2025), and Arizona Cardinals (2025). A 5-foot-11, 205-pound back, he entered the league as a rookie free agent with Cleveland in 2019 after playing at the University of South Florida. He played for the Browns through 2022, joined Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent in 2023, then signed with the Ravens in 2025. Earlier this season, Johnson spent time on the Ravens and Cardinals practice squads. He was released by Arizona from the practice squad on Oct. 28, 2025, after a one-game elevation with the Cardinals, and joined New England on Oct. 29. Across his career, Johnson has appeared in 99 games with three starts, recording 996 rushing yards on 219 attempts with 3 touchdowns, plus 465 receiving yards on 53 receptions. He has also contributed as a returner, logging 772 kickoff yards on 33 returns.
Taylor, 23, joined the Patriots’ practice squad on Oct. 16, 2025. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New York Jets out of Miami (Fla.) in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defender has appeared in 16 NFL games, posting 27 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 passes defensed. Taylor was released by the Jets on Oct. 14, 2025 after participating in two games in 2025.
These moves reflect the Patriots’ ongoing adjustments as they manage depth and evaluate talent across their roster.
