Once-Intriguing Defender Receives Demotion For Patriots-Jaguars

Jeremiah Pharms Jr. appeared to have potential at a position the New England Patriots sorely needed help. But the undrafted defensive lineman, who impressed during the preseason, hasn’t turned said potential into production.

Pharms saw his playing time dip in recent weeks and ultimately received his biggest demotion ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pharms was deemed a healthy scratch for the first time this season, after head coach Jerod Mayo said there would be changes made as a “wake-up call.”

Pharms played 48% of defensive snaps in Week 3. He played 44% of defensive snaps as well as 50% of special teams snaps in Week 4. However, his defensive snaps were cut in half in a Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans and he did not take the field on special teams.

After six games, Pharms is the team’s 19th-graded overall defender, per Pro Football Focus. He has eight tackles in six games. Only Trysten Hill, who recently was cut by the Patriots, graded lower among defensive linemen on the pass rush. Pharms is among the handful of defensive linemen to struggle against the run, too.

The Patriots and Jaguars will take the field at Wembley Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET.