The New England Patriots traveled to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX with nine players listed on their injury report. Among them are two who currently are not part of the active roster: running back Terrell Jennings and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, who both remain on injured reserve as of Monday morning.
With the final game of the season nearing, the Patriots have a decision to make. Either they reactivate them to the 53-man roster or they will not be available against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
The timeline, however, looks different for both players.
Jennings’ clock is ticking the loudest so far. The second-year running back, who was placed on injured reserve following the Patriots’ Week 14 bye, returned to practice on Jan. 14. This opened a 21-day activation window that is set to close on Wednesday: if he is not moved to the 53-man roster at that point, his year is over.
From New England’s perspective, there are arguments in both directions. On the one hand, they might view Jennings as an upgrade over frequent practice squad elevatee D’Ernest Johnson in the third running back role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. However, activating him would not guarantee him a prominent or any role on the game day roster come Sunday while also forcing a follow-up transaction.
Of course, his injury status is worth keeping an eye on. Jennings did clear concussion protocol but he is currently also nursing a hamstring injury, and missed last Friday’s practice as a result.
Farmer, for comparison, was a full participant in both of last week’s practices.
A fourth-round draft pick by the Patriots in April, he was placed on IR after sustaining a hamstring injury against the Baltimore Ravens in December. Like Jennings, he returned to practice at the first opportunity; in his case, that opportunity came on Jan. 21, which subsequently means that his return window will stay open a few days longer and until the Super Bowl.
The arguments for or against activation are similar to Jennings’. Ultimately, the questions are whether or not having Farmer on the roster is preferable to depth elsewhere on the team, and if Leonard Taylor would be a suitable fifth option behind Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga and Cory Durden for the Super Bowl.
The Patriots will practice four times this week, with the first session taking place on Monday.
