Going up against one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the NFL, the New England Patriots will be without one of their starting pass rushers. Harold Landry, who ranks second on the team with 8.5 sacks this season, will be out for the AFC Championship Game
against the Denver Broncos with a knee injury. With Landry out after missing the entire week of practice, the pressure will again be on the team’s backups.Three players are on the game day roster to help replace the team captain, with
Anfernee Jennings projected to take on the most prominent role. In fact, as head coach Mike Vrabel announced on Friday, the six-year veteran will hold a special honor during the contest.
“He’s going to be a game captain, and that’s deservedly so,” said Vrabel. “He has a professionalism that he’s shown throughout this entire season. Appreciate it, appreciate him taking advantage of his opportunities, playing physical, playing on special teams, finding a role. That was an easy pick for me this week.”
Besides Jennings, rookies Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson round out the depth chart opposite regular starter and sack leader K’Lavon Chaisson. All four of them will be facing a substantial challenge.
The Patriots’ full game day roster for the conference title game looks as follows.
Patriots game day roster: AFC Championship Game vs. Broncos
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE), D’Ernest Johnson (34 | PS elevation)
Wide receiver (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Mack Hollins (13), Kyle Williams (18 | KR), DeMario Douglas (3)
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Thayer Munford Jr. (74), Vederian Lowe (59)
Interior offensive line (4): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77)
Interior defensive line (5): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Khyiris Tonga (95 | FB), Cory Durden (94), Leonard Taylor III (93 | PS elevation)
Defensive edge (4): K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Anfernee Jennings (33), Elijah Ponder (91), Bradyn Swinson (43)
Linebacker (6): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Jack Gibbens (51), Jahlani Tavai (48), Marte Mapu (15), Chad Muma (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Alex Austin (28)
Safety (4): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
After entering concussion protocol against the Houston Texans last week, cornerback Carlton Davis is set to go versus Denver. The same is true for wide receiver Mack Hollins, who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Patriots again used a pair of practice squad elevations to bolster the depth. Running back D’Ernest Johnson has been brought up for a fourth time this season, and is part of the game day roster for his combined 10th contest since arriving in New England. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor has been elevated for a sixth time this season.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (7): QB3 Tommy DeVito (16), WR Efton Chism III (86), TE C.J. Dippre (82), OT Marcus Bryant (52), OL Caedan Wallace (70), ED Harold Landry III (2), CB Kobee Minor (19)
Practice squad (12): WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), TE Marshall Lang (84), OL Brenden Jaimes (61), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Mehki Butler (63), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), LB Amari Gainer (99), LB Otis Reese (54), CB Miles Battle (35), S Richie Grant (39), S John Saunders Jr. (23)
Practice squad/exempt (1): OT Lorenz Metz (72 | IPPP)
Practice squad/injured (3): RB Craig Reynolds (49), LB Darius Harris (42), TE Thomas Odukoya (88 | IPPP)
Reserve/injured (11): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, RB Antonio Gibson, RB Terrell Jennings (IR-R), DT Joshua Farmer (IR-R), DT Eric Gregory
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
New England made a change to their injured reserve list this week. The aforementioned Mack Hollins was activated, with rookie defensive tackle Eric Gregory moving from the 53-man roster to IR; his season is therefore over regardless of whether or not the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl.
The AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and Broncos will be kicked off at 3 p.m. ET at Denver’s Mile High Stadium.
