For a second straight week, the New England Patriots’ list of game day inactives features defensive tackle Joshua Farmer. There is one difference between the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals,
and the one versus the New York Jets 10 days ago: Farmer is a healthy scratch this time around.
The fourth-round rookie missed last week’s prime time contest due to an ankle issue, but after a week of full practice participation was removed from the injury report on Friday. Nonetheless, he is now taking a backseat along the interior defensive line to fellow rookie Eric Gregory as well as practice squad elevation Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Before his injury, Farmer had appeared in all 10 previous games registering 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. At times, he served as the fourth option among Patriots defensive tackles but has been passed on the depth chart by Cory Durden as well as the aforementioned Gregory and Pharms Jr. Given that the team will be without Milton Williams — who will miss at least the next four games on injured reserve with a sprained ankle — his inactivity on Sunday can therefore be classified as a surprise.
The rest of the Patriots’ inactives looks as follows.
Patriots inactives
- QB3 Tommy DeVito
- WR Efton Chism III
- TE C.J. Dippre
- OL Caedan Wallace
- DT Joshua Farmer
- LB Jahlani Tavai
The Patriots entered the weekend with one player ruled out: linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who was a no-show at Friday’s practice, did not travel to Cincinnati for personal reasons. Joining him on the inactives list are the aforementioned Joshua Farmer as well as four other healthy scratches.
This means that both of the teams questionables — running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee) — have been given the green light.
Bengals inactives
- QB3 Sean Clifford
- RB Samaje Perine
- WR Jemaine Burton
- TE Cam Grandy
- DE Cam Sample
- ED Trey Hendrickson
Headed by the team’s most potent pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ inactives list does not feature any surprises. Not listed are two other big names, meanwhile: quarterback Joe Burrow, who remains on injured reserve due to his turf toe injury, and suspended wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Kickoff between the Patriots and Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 1 p.m. ET.
