Patriots Place RB Terrell Jennings on PUP, LB Jontrey Hunter on NFI

Two New England Patriots rookies were placed on reserve lists ahead of the start of training camp on Wednesday, July 24. Running back Terrell Jennings was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and New England also placed linebacker Jontrey Hunter on the non-football injury (NFI) list.

New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings, linebacker Jontrey Hunter both participated in rookie minicamp

No reasons were immediately given for either placement. Both players participated in Patriots rookie minicamp and spring practices. NFL players can be added to these lists for a number of reasons, including failing a conditioning test or rehabbing from an injury.

Jennings, 23, finished his college career at Florida A&M with 281 rushing attempts for 1,860 yards and 24 touchdowns. The 6-foot-0, 217-pounder, played in 13 games last season and had 120 rushing attempts for 704 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In May, he signed a three-year, $2.83 million contract with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent and is expected to compete for the third running back spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.

“Thank you father god I wouldn’t be in this position without you,” Jennings wrote on X.

New England’s training camp runs from July 24 to Aug. 13

Meanwhile, Hunter played six seasons at Georgia State and also went undrafted earlier this year. Overall, he played in 53 games and finished with 234 total tackles and six sacks.

The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder had 96 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles last season. He earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors as well.

In April, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department described Hunter as a “smooth mover who has good speed and change-of-direction skills to help in coverage.”

However, he “struggles to hold his ground and shed in the running game” and “gets stuck on blocks and has short arms.” For that reason, he may have his work cut out for him if he hopes to make the 53-player roster.

Additionally, Patriots training camp runs from Wednesday, July 24 to Tuesday, Aug. 13. New England’s preseason schedule runs from Thursday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 25.

The Patriots open the 2024 NFL season at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 8.