Patriots captain Matthew Slater in list of inactives vs. Broncos
The Patriots’ longest-tenured player will not be in uniform Christmas Even night against the Broncos.
Special teams captain Matthew Slater is listed among the group of inactives Sunday night. It’s the first time he’s missed a game since 2017. He was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
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Here’s the full list:
TE Hunter Henry
S Jabrill Peppers
DT Sam Roberts
QB Nathan Rourke (emergency 3rd QB)
ST Matthew Slater
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Henry, Peppers, Smith-Schuster and Stevenson were all ruled out by Saturday afternoon. Roberts, a 2022 sixth-round pick, has only played in seven games this season. Rourke was just acquired Monday off waivers from the Jaguars. He’ll only enter the game if Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones suffer injuries.
The Patriots elevated tight end Matt Sokol and cornerback Breon Borders from the practice squad ahead of Sunday night’s game. Sokol, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown will replace Henry.
The Patriots still have Kyle Dugger, Myles Bryant, Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills and rookie Marte Mapu to play safety with Peppers out.
DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor will be active at wide receiver.
The team signed Kevin Harris to the 53-man roster off of the practice squad this week. Harris, Ezekiel Elliott and JaMycal Hasty are available at running back.