Patriots inactives list for Week 4 game against the 49ers
To finish the first month of the 2024 NFL season, the Patriots are on the road again to face off against another perennial Super Bowl contender over the last few years, the 49ers.
Despite the reigning NFC Champions' disappointing start to the year—they entered this game with a 1-2 record—they remain 10.5-point favorites to win on their home turf and turn the season around by entering October with a .500 record.
It might not be as easy as expected, given the number of injuries their roster is currently dealing with, including a back injury to quarterback Brock Purdy. His status at the beginning of the week wasn't looking good, but he will be active for this game; he is just potentially down some of his best weapons.
The Patriots are dealing with a similar fate, with two crucial injuries to offensive linemen who were ruled out before they made the trip out west. That has required a lot of roster shuffling once again, but the return of Sidy Sow will (hopefully) help make the group less of a liability.
Full Inactives List for New England Patriots
PLAYER NAME | YEAR | POSITION |
|---|---|---|
Alex Austin | 2 | CB |
Mike Jodan | 6 | OL |
Vederian Lowe | 3 | T |
Joe Milton III | 1 | QB |
Anfernee Jennings | 5 | LB |
Jamree Kromah | 1 | DE |
Jaheim Bell | 1 | TE |
*List will be updated when official report is released
Key Absences and Their Impact
Offensive Impact
It's another week, and unfortunately, the Patriots have to continue adjusting their offensive line to either experiment with a new lineup in hopes of putting together a more solid and productive group or to accommodate the loss of starters who cannot play due to injuries.
With Mike Jordan and Vederian Lowe sidelined for this matchup, the team is forced to start their fourth left tackle in just four weeks, which isn't a desirable situation. The only silver lining is the expectation that left guard Sidy Sow will make his 2024 season debut as he should return from an ankle injury for this game.
That would bring a much-needed boost to the left side, the most problematic part of the roster through the first three games.
Playing left tackle alongside him looks like it will be Demontrey Jacobs, who the Patriots picked up in the first batch of waiver claims earlier this month. Rookie Caedan Wallace appears healthy enough to be active for the game and will likely play a depth role this week instead of getting the start.
Defensive Impact
Despite a flashy ending to his rookie season last year, cornerback Alex Austin has struggled to replicate that performance through the first three games of the year. He became a swing option for the Patriots to experiment with against the Jets but suffered an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Because he will be out for at least the next four games, the Patriots elevated Isaiah Bolden to the 53-man roster for this game, and he may be signed there if he performs well in Austin's absence.
Full Inactives List for San Francisco 49ers
PLAYER NAME | YEAR | POSITION |
|---|---|---|
Javon Hargrave | 9 | NT |
Curtis Robinson | 4 | LB |
Joshua Dobbs | 8 | QB |
Ben Bartch | 5 | OL |
Darrell Luter Jr. | 2 | CB |
Ronnie Bell | 2 | WR |
Talanoa Hufanga | 4 | S |
*List will be updated when official report is released
More Patriots news and analysis:
manual