The New England Patriots have enjoyed one of the most drastic turnarounds in the NFL this season under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, and on Sunday they’ll be playing for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
However, they’ll have to go through the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium — and they’ll be doing so without their defensive sack leader, Harold Landry, who was officially ruled out for this weekend’s game on Friday with a knee injury.
Landry battled through pain on several occasions this season and appeared in both of the Patriots’ playoff wins against the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers.
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Landry didn’t practice all week, and Friday ultimately served as the telltale sign for whether he would play. Since he didn’t, Vrabel made it clear when speaking to the media while providing the team’s injury updates.
Fortunately for the Patriots, cornerback Carlton Davis III — who recorded two interceptions last week before entering concussion protocol — practiced on Friday, which is an encouraging sign for his status. Still, Vrabel listed Davis as questionable, along with wide receiver Mack Hollins and linebacker Marte Mapu.
This season, Landry totaled 27 combined tackles and 8.5 sacks, meaning it will take a collective effort to replace his production, with Anfernee Jennings likely stepping into a larger role in his absence.
Still, the Patriots’ defense has played as advertised, setting the tone in each of their first two postseason wins. They’ll now face a backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury at the end of the Broncos’ divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills.
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