Foxboro, MA - Jeremiah Pharms Jr. on the field during Patriots training camp. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA – Jeremiah Pharms Jr. on the field during Patriots training camp. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
The Patriots added two depth pieces from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
Safety Mike Brown and defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. were elevated from the practice squad.
The Patriots needed more help at safety after placing Dell Pettus on injured reserve this week. Starter Craig Woodson is also questionable to play with a shoulder injury.
It’s unclear why the Patriots elevated Pharms. They already have six defensive tackles — Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Daquan Jones, Joshua Farmer and Leonard Taylor III — on their 53-man roster.
With outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones ruled out and rookie edge defender Quintayvious Hutchins on injured reserve, perhaps the Patriots could use Williams more on the edge this week, necessitating more defensive tackle depth.
Notably, Woodson and tight end Eli Raridon were not ruled out. The Patriots also didn’t fill the open spot on their roster left vacant when Hutchins was placed on IR.
Including Jones, the Patriots must rule six players inactive. Rookie quarterback Behren Morton will almost certainly be another one of those players. If Raridon can play, then Tanner Arkin could be inactive. Another spot will likely go to either offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover or guard Walter Rouse. Either Farmer or Taylor will likely be inactive. The last spot could go to either rookie linebacker Erick Hunter, one of two rookie cornerbacks, Channing Canada or Karon Prunty, or Woodson.