Week 16 Patriots-Jets gameday inactives: LB Dont’a Hightower will not be playing

The New England Patriots and the New York Jets have announced their gameday inactives and the Patriots are going to be shorthanded on defense.

Patriots inactives

The Patriots will be without defensive captain LB Dont’a Hightower, opening up the door for more time with LB Shea McClellin, LB Kyle Van Noy, and rookie LB Elandon Roberts.

CB Justin Coleman is also inactive, which means more time for rookie CB Cyrus Jones and CB Eric Rowe.

The only other surprise is ST Matthew Slater, who has been battling a foot injury in recent weeks. It seems like the Patriots are willing to rest their key players more this week against the Jets with a focus on week 17 against the Dolphins in mind.

RB D.J. Foster, WR Danny Amendola, QB Jacoby Brissett, and OT LaAdrian Waddle were all expected to be inactive.

WR Michael Floyd will be active for his first game in a Patriots uniform.

Jets inactives

The Jets will be without starting RB Matt Forte, but that opens the door for RB Bilal Powell who might arguably be a better player at this point in time. LB Lorenzo Mauldin is one of the Jets better pass rushers, while DT Steve McLendon is a solid run defender.

The Patriots are definitely at the disadvantage when it comes to inactives.