Are the New England Patriots the team we saw exceeding expectations the first two weeks, or the one that was blown out by the New York Jets in Week 3?
We’ll get an answer Sunday afternoon when Jerod Mayo and company visit Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams are 1-2 and dealing with key injuries, though the Patriots enter the matchup as 10.5-point underdogs.
But which players will be on the field for each team? Let’s go over inactives, injury designations, and projected lineups.
Who Are the Inactives for New England Patriots vs. San Francisco 49ers?
Patriots Inactives vs. 49ers
Here’s the full inactives list for the Patriots:
- QB Joe Milton III (emergency third QB)
- LB Anfernee Jennings
- DE Jamree Kromah
- OT Vederian Lowe
- G Mike Jordan
- TE Jaheim Bell
49ers Inactives vs. Patriots
Here’s the 49ers’ full inactives list:
- QB Joshua Dobbs (emergency third QB)
- WR Ronnie Bell
- CB Darrell Luter
- S Talanoa Hufanga
- G Ben Bartch
Patriots-49ers Inactives Takeaways
- Anfernee Jennings, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, is a tough loss for the Patriots. Here’s their best run-stuffing outside linebacker and one of their most consistent defenders.
- Jamree Kromah is a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game after being signed off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad.
- Jaheim Bell is a healthy scratch and will be replaced on the tight end depth chart by Mitchell Wilcox, who was elevated from the practice squad.
- The biggest news for the 49ers is that receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will play after missing last week due to a calf injury.
- Tight end George Kittle already will play, which we knew after San Francisco released its final Week 4 injury report.
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
Here are the final Week 4 injury reports for both teams:
Patriots
OUT
- CB Alex Austin, Ankle
- OT Vederian Lowe, Knee
- G Mike Jordan, Ankle
DOUBTFUL
- No players listed
QUESTIONABLE
- EDGE Anfernee Jennings, Shoulder
- CB Jonathan Jones, Shoulder
- G Sidy Sow, Ankle
- OT Caedan Wallace, Knee
49ers
OUT
- DT Javon Hargrave, Triceps
- LB Curtis Robinson, Knee
DOUBTFUL
- No players listed
QUESTIONABLE
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr., Calf
- OT Trent Williams, Illness, Toe
- LB Dee Winters, Ankle
- DT Jordan Elliott, Foot
- S Talanoa Hufanga, Ankle
Samuel reportedly plans to play Sunday after sitting out last week, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Williams also is expected to suit up.
Projected Patriots Week 4 Starting Lineups
Lineups won’t be confirmed until after Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. kickoff, but here’s an educated guess at New England’s positional groupings:
Quarterback
Starter: Jacoby Brissett
Backups: Drake Maye, Joe Milton III (emergency third QB)
Running Back
Starter: Rhamondre Stevenson
Backups: Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty
Wide Receiver
Starters: DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton
Backups: Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte
Tight End
Starter: Hunter Henry
Backups: Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox
Offensive Line
Starters: Demontre Jacobs, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Layden Robinson, Mike Onwenu
Backups: Nick Leverett, Zach Thomas, Caedan Wallace
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale
Backups: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Eric Johnson II, Trysten Hill
EDGE
Starters: Keion White, Joshua Uche
Backups: Curtis Jacobs
Linebacker
Starters: Raekwon McMillan, Jahlani Tavai
Backups: Christian Elliss
Cornerback
Starters: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones
Backups: Marco Wilson, Marcellas Dial Jr., Isaiah Bolden
Safety
Starters: Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger
Backups: Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
Special Teams
Kicker: Joey Slye
Punter: Bryce Baringer
Long Snapper: Joe Cardona
