Patriots reveal inactives for Week 16 vs. Broncos

The New England Patriots will be without a few key players during their Sunday night football matchup against the Denver Broncos.  The team announced its list of inactive players just over an hour before the game, but one name was a surprise.  TE Hunter Henry S Jabrill PapersDT Sam RobertsQB Nathan Rourke (emergency 3rd QB)ST […]

Sophie Weller — NFL Trending News Writer
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New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater looks on after a play against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots will be without a few key players during their Sunday night football matchup against the Denver Broncos. 

The team announced its list of inactive players just over an hour before the game, but one name was a surprise. 

  • TE Hunter Henry
  • S Jabrill Papers
  • DT Sam Roberts
  • QB Nathan Rourke (emergency 3rd QB)
  • ST Matthew Slater
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Patriots Inactives Observations

  • This will be the first game Matthew Slater has missed since 2017. Prior to the game, he was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Special teams has been an issue this season, with some bad penalties continuing to plague this team. Slater is the longest-tenured player on the team, and is a crucial leader. But without him, there might be some additional mistakes on special teams during Sunday night's game. 
  • S Jabrill Peppers has been key for the Patriots defense this season, forcing many turnovers. He has not been seen at practice all week and was ruled out on Friday. 
  • TE Hunter Henry was Bailey Zappe's top target for the Patriots in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he took many hits. Because of that, he has been sidelined this week after not practicing all week. 
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was missing on Friday. He was also ruled out early with an ankle injury. 
  • OT Conor McDermott did not practice all week and was officially placed on injured reserve. In his spot, the Patriots signed RB Kevin Harris from the practice squad. 
  • RB Rhamondre Stevenson has not been placed on injured reserve, but has been out since Week 13. 

On Saturday, the Patriots elevated elevated tight end Matt Sokol and cornerback Breon Borders from the practice squad. 

Here is the Broncos Inactives List:

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