The New England Patriots starting offense might see some changes against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Two positions are worth keeping an eye on: wide receiver and left guard.
At wide receiver, Mack Hollins’ return from injured reserve after a four-game absence adds another starter-level player to the mix. While nowhere near a classic No. 1 wide receiver, the 33-year-old did play 63% of offensive snaps before hurting his calf in Week 4 against the Bills. The expectation is that he might see some
prominent snaps as a Z-receiver, which in turn might bump sophomore Efton Chism down the depth chart.
At left guard, meanwhile, the Patriots seem ready to reinsert Ben Brown into the mix. With Brown recovering from a knee injury, Walter Rouse drew the start last week versus Miami. However, he struggled and was benched at the half — a precursor to a potential change at the position.
With that said, here is a closer look at New England’s game day roster versus the visiting Packers.
Patriots game day roster: Week 9 vs. Packers
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Tommy DeVito (16)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Corey Kiner (9 | KR), Lan Larison (34)
Wide receiver (4): Mack Hollins (13), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18 | KR), Efton Chism III (86)
Tight end (4): Hunter Henry (85), Eli Raridon (82), Cameron Latu (36), Tanner Arkin (84)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Caleb Lomu (74), Marcus Bryant (52)
Interior offensive line (4): Ben Brown (77 | LG), Jared Wilson (55 | C), Matt Pryor (65 | RG), Walter Rouse (72)
Interior defensive line (6): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), DaQuan Jones (99), Leonard Taylor III (93), Joshua Farmer (92)
Defensive edge (3): Elijah Ponder (91), Dre’Mont Jones (5), Gabe Jacas (50)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Darius Muasau (54), Namdi Obiazor (48), Erick Hunter (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Channing Canada (29), Karon Prunty (21)
Safety (5): Kevin Byard III (31), Craig Woodson (4), Jaylen Reed (23), Brenden Schooler (41), Mike Brown (33)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (8 | K), Mitch Wishnowsky (19 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
Marcus Bryant, who was activated from injured reserve earlier in the week, is back on the game day roster at the first opportunity. He projects as the No. 4 offensive tackle behind starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses as well as first-round rookie Caleb Lomu. That said, he did rep as the third option during the summer and it would not be a surprise if he was the next man up at left tackle over Lomu if need be.
With the Patriots deactivating fourth cornerback Charles Woods due to a hamstring injury that was announced shortly before the inactives list was released, rookies Channing Canada and Karon Prunty have both returned to the game day roster. If they end up appearing in the game, it would be their first snaps since Week 3 and 4, respectively.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (5): QB3 Behren Morton (15), RB TreVeyon Henderson (32), WR A.J. Brown (1), OT Dametrious Crownover (68), CB Charles Woods (22)
Practice squad (17): RB Terrell Jennings (26) WR Kyle Dixon (83), WR Chandler Brayboy (81), WR Ryan Miller (11), TE Tanner Conner (80), OT Lorenz Metz (61 | exempt), OL Xavier Newman-Johnson (64), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), DT Eric Gregory (95), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), ED Jose Ramirez (43), ED Xavier Holmes (58), ED Benton Whitley (42), LB Elias Neal (35), CB Kindle Vildor (28), CB Al’zillion Hamilton (26), S Elliott Davison (27)
Injured reserve (10): RB Myles Montgomery (39 | season-ending), FB Reggie Gilliam (44), WR Romeo Doubs (87), TE Julian Hill (80 | season-ending), RG Mike Onwenu (71), OL Greg Van Roten (70), LG Alijah Vera-Tucker (75), ED Quintayvious Hutchins (45), LB Khalil Jacobs (59), S Dell Pettus (24)
PUP/reserve (1): ED Harold Landry (2)
For the first time this season, the Patriots decided not to elevate any players from the practice squad — a reflection of the fact that all of their available questionables entering Sunday were ultimately cleared for the game. As a consequence, New England only had to deactivate five players; three if we exclude TreVeyon Henderson and A.J. Brown, who both were already ruled out on Friday.
The Patriots’ game against the Packers at Gillette Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
