The New England Patriots packed an extra layer for the trip to Paycor Stadium.
The organization elevated defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pharms, 29, made the initial 53-man roster before being waived on the eve of September’s season opener. After going unclaimed, he agreed to remain in Foxborough as part of the practice squad. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive lineman has appeared in 28 games during his tenure. A handful
of starts have arrived along the way.
Originally joining the Patriots prior to training camp in 2022, Pharms stands with 42 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery in his career. Spending the duration of his first campaign on the practice squad, he has since handled 547 snaps on defense and 113 snaps on special teams.
By way of Sacramento City College, San Joaquin Delta College and Friends University, Pharms went undrafted in 2019. Stints with the Champions Indoor Football League’s Wichita Force and USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers followed before entering the NFL ranks.
His first standard call-up of the fall comes days after standout defensive tackle Milton Williams was placed on New England’s injured reserve.
“I would say that Pharms is doing a great job, as well, on the show team and is ready to go in there at any point,” head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters earlier in the week. “So, I think we’re okay there as far as the depth. We’ll just have to keep working, keep moving along.”
The Patriots ruled out linebacker Jahlani Tavai ahead of Sunday’s AFC North visit due to personal reasons. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and edge defender Harold Landry III move forward as questionable after both recently practiced in full.
But Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been downgraded from questionable. The two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year will stay on injured reserve for the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
