The New England Patriots are gearing up for a pivotal Week 12 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, and with key injuries mounting, the team has turned to a familiar face to bolster their defensive line. In a move that underscores the urgency of the situation, the Patriots elevated veteran defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday evening. This addition comes at a critical time as New England aims to extend its impressive eight-game winning streak against a Bengals squad that’s offensively explosive but defensively vulnerable.
Pharms, a 29-year-old powerhouse at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, is no stranger to the Patriots’ system. Originally joining the team on July 19, 2022, after a stint with the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL, he spent the entire 2022 season on the practice squad. His perseverance paid off when he was promoted to the 53-man roster early in the 2023 season. Over the last two years, Pharms has appeared in 28 games, starting five of them, and accumulated 42 total tackles along with 2 sacks. His experience and physicality make him a valuable “emergency weapon” as the Patriots navigate their first game without star defensive lineman Milton Williams, who was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury sustained in Week 11.
The timing couldn’t be more pressing. The Patriots, heavily favored in this matchup—what began as a 4.5-point betting line has swelled to 7.5 points—face a Bengals offense that’s proven capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Cincinnati has averaged 28.6 points per game in the five contests started by backup quarterback Joe Flacco, who steps in once again amid star Joe Burrow’s recovery from toe surgery. Flacco’s stats are nothing to scoff at: 1,453 yards on 135-for-213 passing, with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Despite the Bengals’ 1-4 record in those games, their potent attack poses a real challenge to New England’s defense, which has been a cornerstone of the team’s success this season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the inevitability of injuries in the NFL during his weekly press conference. “There are gonna be some injuries we are just not going to be able to avoid. I tell everybody, the injury rate in the NFL is 100%. Play long enough, you are guaranteed to get hurt,” Vrabel said. He praised the team’s resilience and the work of the training and strength staff in getting players back quickly, emphasizing that there’s no “magical formula” for avoiding setbacks—just hard work and preparation.
Fortunately for the Patriots, injuries haven’t been a rampant issue this season. Aside from backup running back Antonio Gibson’s season-ending ACL tear in Week 4, the team has dealt mostly with minor ailments. Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez battled a hamstring injury early on, running back Rhamondre Stevenson missed three games with a toe issue, and receiver Kayshon Boutte sat out two weeks due to a hamstring strain. Williams’ absence marks the first major defensive blow, and Pharms’ elevation is part of a rotation strategy to fill the void.
As the Patriots hit the road to Cincinnati, the focus will be on containing Flacco and the Bengals’ high-octane offense while exploiting what has been the NFL’s worst defense. New England’s offense should have ample opportunities to shine, but the defense—now with Pharms in the mix—will need to step up to keep the streak alive. Fans can expect a gritty performance from this battle-tested squad, proving once again why they’re contenders in a league where adaptability is key.
Stay tuned for game updates as the Patriots look to make it nine in a row. Go Pats!