The New England Patriots confirmed seven inactive players before Sunday’s AFC Championship matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, leaving New England without several depth pieces across the offensive line, secondary, pass rush and skill positions.
The announcement came before kickoff for the January 25, 2026 clash, giving both teams a final view of who would be available for one of the biggest games of the season. Inactive lists matter most when injuries strike during a game, because they shape backup plans, special-teams roles and late-game adjustments.
Patriots inactive list vs Broncos
New England listed the following players as inactive:
- Harold Landry — Outside linebacker
- Kobee Minor — Cornerback
- Marcus Bryant — Tackle
- Caedan Wallace — Guard
- C.J. Dippre — Tight end
- Efton Chism — Wide receiver
- Tommy DeVito — Quarterback, third string
Patriots inactives for #NEvsDEN. pic.twitter.com/2wjCvYAAF9
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 25, 2026
Offensive line depth becomes a key concern
The most important part of the inactive list may be on the offensive line. With Marcus Bryant and Caedan Wallace unavailable, the Patriots have fewer emergency options if injuries occur up front.
That matters against Denver because playoff games often turn on protection, field position and third-down execution. If New England has to reshuffle the line during the game, communication and assignment discipline will become even more important.
Defense loses rotation help
Harold Landry being inactive removes an outside linebacker from the defensive rotation, while Kobee Minor’s absence reduces cornerback depth. Neither absence automatically changes the full defensive plan, but it does narrow the number of options available in specific packages.
Against a Broncos offense playing at home in Denver, New England may need longer stretches from its main defensive contributors. That can affect substitution patterns, especially if the game becomes fast-paced or physical in the second half.
Skill-position options are thinner
Tight end C.J. Dippre and wide receiver Efton Chism are also unavailable, limiting New England’s depth at two offensive skill spots. The impact may be felt most on special teams, red-zone formations and short-yardage groupings.
The Patriots will likely lean more heavily on their active primary targets and backs, especially if the game script forces them to chase points or protect the quarterback with extra blockers.
Tommy DeVito inactive as third quarterback
Tommy DeVito’s inactive status means New England will not use him as part of the regular active quarterback group. That is not unusual for a third-string quarterback, but it is still notable in a high-contact playoff setting.
For New England, the priority now is simple: keep the starting offensive structure intact, avoid protection breakdowns and prevent the inactive list from becoming a larger issue if injuries hit during the game.
Why it matters before kickoff
Inactive players are often overlooked once the game begins, but they can influence coaching decisions from the first drive. Fewer backups can affect how aggressive a team is with substitutions, how it handles special teams and how quickly it adjusts after an injury.
New England’s official inactive list was released through the team’s social media account before kickoff, in line with standard NFL game-day roster procedures. For more matchup context, see the Broncos vs Patriots score and highlights.
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