Patriots vs Jets inactives: Rhamondre Stevenson a surprise inactive for New England

The New England Patriots will look to score their first home win of the 2021 regular season as they welcome their AFC East foe New York Jets to Foxboro. The Patriots dealt with a lengthy injury report throughout the week, listing 14 players as questionable due to a variety of injuries.

Here’s who’s in and who’s out for both teams on Sunday.

Patriots inactives

OLB Dont’a Hightower

TE Devin Asiasi

G Yasir Durant

RB Rhamondre Stevenson

CB Shaun Wade

DE Ronnie Perkins

After suffering an elbow injury in last week’s matchup with Dallas, Hightower practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. After completely missing Friday’s workout, the linebacker appeared to have suffered a potential setback, forcing him out of action this week.

The Patriots once again will shuffle their starting offensive line, as guard Shaq Mason (abdomen) is set to return after a two week absence. As Mason returns, Yasir Durant - who has seen most of his playing time at right tackle - will be inactive. New England will lean on Ted Karras and Yodny Cajuste as depth, along with James Ferentz, who was elevated from the practice squad on Friday.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the inactive list is rookie running Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson was not listed on the injury report and put together perhaps the best game of his NFL career last week. Instead, the Patriots will go back to J.J. Taylor, potentially to fill more of a James White role, who had six catches against the Jets in Week 2.

Jets inactives

TE Tyler Kroft

DT Jonathan Marshall

S Adrian Colbert

WR Jeff Smith

RB Tevin Coleman

LB C.J. Mosley

As for the Jets, they will be without starters C.J. Mosley (hamstring) and Tyler Kroft (back). Mosley was highly praised throughout the week by both Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, making his absence a significant loss for New York. Running back Tevin Coleman also will be out for the Jets on Sunday after hurting his hamstring in Friday’s practice.