A major shake-up at the quarterback position has dominated headlines for the New England Patriots throughout the week, and that continues to be the case on game day against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Even though Bailey Zappe is expected to start on Sunday, the Patriots are keeping Mac Jones active at quarterback. Rookie Malik Cunningham was also elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.
The Patriots are thin at receiver, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cunningham work in more at that role, while also seeing a couple of package plays at quarterback. Whether Jones gets on the field or not remains to be seen.
The big absences for the Patriots will be wide receiver Demario Douglas and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. Douglas was the team’s best receiving weapon, and Wise’s absence is a hit to the defense’s pass rush.
Here’s the full list of inactives for Sunday’s game:
Patriots inactives. pic.twitter.com/X07Hoow7nz
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 3, 2023
our inactives for #LACvsNE
Isaiah Spiller
Ja'Sir Taylor
Zack Bailey
Nick Vannett
Simi Fehoko
Scott Matlock— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 3, 2023
A loss on Sunday would officially eliminate the Patriots from the playoffs with five games still left on their regular season schedule.
