FOXBORO — The Patriots will be getting their top defender back Sunday.

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury suffered on July 28, is active. That means the defense will be at full strength for the first time this year.

The Patriots have Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods and Alex Austin available at cornerback. The Panthers will have rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan available, but second-year wideout Xavier Legette is out.

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Here’s the list of Patriots inactives:

QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third QB)
WR Efton Chism
LG Jared Wilson
OL Caedan Wallace
DT Eric Gregory
OLB Elijah Ponder

Notes:

DeVito can only enter Sunday’s game if Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs both suffer injuries.
The Patriots will dress Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and rookie Kyle Williams at wide receiver. Chism has yet to make his NFL debut.
Wilson (ankle/knee) was ruled out Friday. Expect Ben Brown to start at left guard. The Patriots elevated Brenden Jaimes off of the practice squad to back up Brown and starting center Garrett Bradbury. Wallace has yet to make his season debut.
The Patriots will continue to dress Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer and Cory Durden at defensive tackle. Gregory, a rookie, hasn’t played yet this season.
Ponder is a healthy scratch for the second straight week. The Patriots will play Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson, Keion White and Anfernee Jennings over him.
The Patriots also elevated former Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris to help out on special teams.