Patriots Get Update on Injured Rookie Defensive Tackle Ahead of Broncos Game

The New England Patriots are just one win away from making a stunning return to the Super Bowl, but they will have to get past a tough Denver Broncos team in the AFC Championship Game in order to do so. Even though the Broncos will be without their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, there’s no doubt that they are going to give the Patriots all that they can handle.

With Nix out, former New England quarterback Jarrett Stidham will draw the start for Denver in the biggest game of his life. Unfortunately for Stidham, the Pats’ defense has been balling out as of late, as they have completely shut down the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans’ offenses in their first two playoff matchups. And ahead of this upcoming contest, the team has received some good news regarding injured rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer.

For much of the 2025 campaign, New England has been led by its offense. In the playoffs, though, it’s been a different story. With Drake Maye and company going up against some tough defensive units, it’s been the Patriots’ defense that has stepped up. Against the Chargers, the Pats allowed Justin Herbert and company to score just three points, while the Texans were forced into five turnovers in an ugly divisional round matchup.

With the Broncos featuring a feared defense as well, the Patriots may have to rely on their defense to make life miserable for Stidham in his first real action this season. New England could use all the help it can get, and it appears as if Farmer could be on track to make his return to action after landing on injured reserve late in the regular season.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Farmer appeared in 13 games this season, three of which were starts, and racked up 15 tackles, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery during his time on the field. A hamstring injury suffered in Week 16 landed him on injured reserve, but after missing four games, he’s eligible to return to action, and after suiting up for practice on Wednesday, it looks like he’s trending in the right direction.

“Looks like rookie DT Joshua Farmer will practice today for the Patriots. He’s eligible to come off the injured reserve,” Mark Daniels of MassLive shared in a post on X.

Patriots’ Red-Hot Defense Could Be Getting Even Better

Farmer isn’t exactly New England’s most important defender, but he’s another rotational option on the defensive line who can help the Pats stymie Stidham on Sunday. New England’s calling card so far this postseason has been its ability to create pressure on the interior offensive line, thanks in large part to the play of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Having Farmer back, though, could make life even more difficult for Denver.

The Patriots would still have to activate Farmer from injured reserve, so he still has some hurdles to clear over the next few days. If Farmer can practice on Thursday and Friday, though, it would appear as if he could finally get himself back on the field. As a result, Farmer’s status will be worth keeping tabs on as New England prepares for its upcoming battle vs. Denver.