Week 12 Patriots vs Jets injury report: New England almost at full strength as Rob Gronkowski, Shaq Mason return

In not even 90 minutes, the New England Patriots will finally return off their bye week. The team’s 11th game of the season will see it go against a familiar foe: the New York Jets. And the game — for the first time since week six — will see a Patriots team as close to full strength as it has been all year long.

Patriots inactives

DE Keionta Davis

OL Matt Tobin

CB Duke Dawson

DE Derek Rivers

OL James Ferentz

TE Dwayne Allen

SS Nate Ebner

Dwayne Allen was already declared out on Friday due to a knee injury he suffered against the Tennessee Titans in week 10, the rest of the players are new additions to the inactives list. The biggest names are core special teamer Nate Ebner, who was added to the injury report late this week with a knee issue, and cornerback Duke Dawson: the rookie was activated off injured reserve recently and is apparently not yet ready to go.

Who is ready to go? Tight end Rob Gronkowski and starting right guard Shaq Mason are, both returning after missing the Patriots’ last game because of injury. Also active are running back Sony Michel and — as previously reported — quarterback Tom Brady: the 41-year old was listed as “questionable” with a knee injury and an illness but is good go go today against New York.

Another player on the 46-man game day roster is safety Obi Melifonwu. The former second-round draft pick was added by the Patriots earlier this month but was inactive in week 10. Now, he will get a chance to potentially fill the void created by Ebner’s absence and serve as a depth option at the safety/linebacker hybrid spot normally manned by Patrick Chung.

Jets inactives

QB Sam Darnold

WR Deontay Burnett

SS Marcus Maye

CB Derrick Jones

LB Jeremiah Attaochu

OG James Carpenter

WR Rishard Matthews

First-round rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is obviously the biggest name on the list. He is, however, far from the only player worth mentioning: starting safety Marcus Maye and starting interior offensive lineman James Carpenter are also out today.