The Patriots have announced their inactives for their week one match-up against the Tennessee Titans:
Daniel Fells, TE
Shane Vereen, RB
Justin Francis, DE
Marcus Forston, DT
Nick McDonald, OL
Jake Bequette, DE
Alfonzo Dennard, CB
Quick thoughts:
- No big surprises here. Daniel Fells continues to rehab from injury, so it wasn't out of the question he would miss today's game. Recent free agent pick-up Michael Hoomanawanui will be active in his place, and could see snaps as the third tight end.
- Shane Vereen, Nick McDonald, and Alfonzo Dennard were all also expected to be out due to their own respective injuries. The Patriots could be a bit thin along the offensive line and at running back. Donald Thomas projects as the top interior back-up for the Patriots, while the team will carry just three backs - Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, and Brandon Bolden - on today's active roster.
- The Patriots made two healthy scratches at defensive end, with both Justin Francis and Jake Bequette sitting today. That means that the Patriots will have Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham, and Trevor Scott as their four primary defensive ends. Marcus Forston, the rookie free agent defensive tackle, is also a healthy scratch.