BALTIMORE – The Patriots were hurting and needed someone to step up and play defensive tackle on Sunday night against a talented Baltimore Ravens rushing attack.
The Patriots entered this week without starter Milton Williams, and during the game, the defense lost Khyiris Tonga (foot) and Joshua Farmer (hamstring) to injuries, leaving the depth even more depleted.
That’s when Anfernee Jennings stepped up. The backup edge rusher played defensive tackle in the Patriots’ comeback win over the Ravens and earned praise from Mike Vrabel after the game.
“We lost a lot of defensive linemen,” Vrabel said. “To have a guy like Anfernee Jennings – [I give him] a lot of credit going in there and playing defensive line and helping us out. I appreciate what he did and everybody else that was able to step in.”
Over the previous two seasons, Jennings was the Patriots’ starting edge rusher. Last year, he finished with a career-high 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits. This year, in Vrabel’s system, Jennings has played behind starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. The veteran has provided depth, along with rookie edge rusher Elijah Ponder.
On Sunday, however, the team needed him in the middle of the defensive line to help combat running back Derrick Henry. Jennings said he had fun playing a different position.
“I always have the next man up mentality,” Jennings said. “We’re working our ass off in practice, so I gained the confidence in practice to go out in the game and execute. Wherever they put me, that’s my job. I don’t take that lightly, so I was ready to go.”
The veteran also stepped up, notching his second sack of the season when he dropped Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley at 12:08 of the third quarter. That set the Ravens up in a third-and-18, leading to a punt.
“That was my opportunity, and I was just doing my job,” Jennings said. “The opportunity came to me, and I made the play.”