As the AFC Championship Game looms, both the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots have finalized their inactive lists-and there are some notable names sitting this one out.
For Denver, wide receiver Troy Franklin won’t be suiting up. The rookie had been listed as questionable with a hamstring issue, and now he’s officially inactive.
It’s a tough blow for the Broncos’ offense. Franklin posted 65 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, carving out a key role in the passing game.
His absence puts more pressure on Denver’s receiving corps to step up in a high-stakes matchup.
Also sidelined is center Alex Forsyth, who was battling an ankle injury. Forsyth had started the last three games and provided some stability up front, but the Broncos were clearly preparing for this scenario-they activated Luke Wattenberg from injured reserve earlier in the week, signaling they had a contingency plan in place.
Joining Franklin and Forsyth on the inactive list are safety JL Skinner, linebacker Karene Reid, wide receiver Michael Bandy, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, and defensive end Sai’vion Jones. That’s a sizable chunk of depth, particularly on the defensive side.
On the Patriots’ end, there’s some good news: linebacker Marte Mapu is active despite dealing with a hip injury that had him listed as questionable. His availability gives the New England defense a versatile piece in the second level-a player who can drop into coverage or come downhill with force.
However, the Patriots will be without edge rusher Harold Landry, who was ruled out on Friday. That’s a big loss for a pass rush that thrives on disruption.
Also inactive are cornerback Kobee Minor, tackle Marcus Bryant, guard Caedan Wallace, tight end C.J. Dippre, wide receiver Efton Chism, and quarterback Tommy DeVito.
With both teams missing key contributors, depth and adaptability will be tested. In a game where every possession matters, the ability to adjust on the fly could be the difference between booking a trip to the Super Bowl and heading home.