The New England Patriots have traveled to Cincinnati for the start of their 2024 regular season and are in relatively good shape. With the exception of one starter and players on various injury lists, the team is at full strength for its Week 1 game against the Bengals.
Their matchday line-up for Sunday’s competition therefore looks as follows:
Patriots squad for game day
Quarterbacks (2): Jacoby Brissett (7), Drake Maye (10)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Antonio Gibson (4), JaMycal Hasty (39)
Wide Receivers (5): DeMario Douglas (3), Ja’Lynn Polk (1), KJ Osborn (2), Tyquan Thornton (11), Kayshon Boutte (9)
Final spurt (3): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81), Jaheim Bell (88)
Offensive Tackle (4): Chukwuma Okorafor (77 | LT), Michael Onwenu (71 | RT), Vederian Lowe (59), Caedan Wallace (70)
Inner attack line (4): Nick Leverett (51 | LG), David Andrews (60 | C), Layden Robinson (63 | RG), Michael Jordan (74 | PS-Elevation)
Inner Defense Line (6): Davon Godchaux (92), Keion White (99), Deatrich Wise Jr. (91), Daniel Ekuale (95), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), Trysten Hill (97 | PS increase)
Defensive advantage (3): Anfernee Jennings (33), Joshua Uche (55), Oshane Ximines (93)
Linebackers (4): Ja’Whaun Bentley (8), Jahlani Tavai (48), Raekwon McMillan (50), Christian Elliss (53)
Cornerbacks (6): Christian Gonzalez (0), Jonathan Jones (31), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Marco Wilson (22), Alex Austin (28), Marcellas Dial Jr. (27)
Security (5): Kyle Dugger (23), Jabrill Peppers (5), Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Brenden Schooler (41), Dell Pettus (24)
Specialists (3): Joey Slye (13 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P | H), Joe Cardona (49 | LS)
With the exception of left guard Sidy Sow, all players who were on the injury list through Sunday have been returned to action: running back Antonio Gibson (hip), prospect left tackle Vederian Lowe (abdomen), outside linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) and safety Jabrill Peppers (hip) have all been given the green light. But they aren’t the only players worth noting.
Take Raekwon McMillan, for example, who had a lucrative day before he even stepped on the field. The backup linebacker and projected special teamer earned a $115,000 roster bonus for being on the 53-man roster in Week 1, plus another $15,000 for his active performance.
Also worth noting is the presence of Dell Pettus on the active roster. Pettus made the game-day roster despite entering the league as an undrafted free agent earlier this year; prior to last year’s season opener, New England had at least one UDFA on the Week 1 game-day roster for 19 years. Perhaps Pettus’ presence can serve as a starting point for another such streak.
Patriots reserves
Inactive (7): WR Javon Baker, LB Curtis Jacobs, OT Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, QB Joe Milton (emergency QB), G Sidy Sow, OL Zachary Thomas
Training squad (15): CB Isaiah Bolden, LB Ochaun Mathis, DE Jotham Russell, OL Liam Fornadel, RB Kevin Harris, TE Mitchell Wilcox, S AJ Thomas, RB Terrell Jennings, WR Matt Landers, WR Jalen Reagor, OL Bryan Hudson, OL Jerome Carvin, OT Caleb Jones, LB Joe Giles-Harris, LB Yvandy Rigby
Reserve/NFI (1): DT Christian Barmore (NFI-R)
Reserve/PUP (3): G Cole Strange, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki
Injury reserve (5): DT Armon Watts, S/LB Marte Mapu (IR-R), OL Jake Andrews, OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr., WR JaQuae Jackson
The list of inactive players in New England contains no real surprises.
The Patriots have also decided to promote two members of their practice squad to the game day roster. Both Michael Jordan and Trysten Hill will automatically be reinstated to the roster on Monday.
The Patriots’ Week 1 game against the Bengals will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
