Rookie WR Javon Baker among Patriots inactives for Week 1

BOSTON — A lot of Patriots participant who have been listed as questionable for Week 1 are good to go in Cincinnati. Rookie receiver Javon Baker, nevertheless, is just not.

Baker is a wholesome scratch for Sunday’s sport, whereas security Jabrill Peppers (hip), deal with Vederian Lowe (stomach), working again Antonio Gibson (hip), and linebacker Josh Uche are all lively for New England because the Patriots get set to kick off their 2024 season in opposition to the Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Peppers was added to the harm report on Saturday, however went by warmups and was cleared to play on Sunday.

Right here is the complete checklist of New England’s inactives for Sunday’s conflict with the Bengals:

WR Javon Baker
OT Demontrey Jacobs
LB Curtis Jacobs
DT Eric Johnson 
QB Joe Milton (emergency third QB)  
G Sidy Sow
G Zach Thomas  

Some could assume that Baker’s wholesome scratch is a part of the punishment that the rookie obtained for his current social media rant in opposition to police after he was given a ticket. However head coach Jerod Mayo stated final week that Baker’s team-issued punishment was “to not the extent of lacking the sport” in Week 1.

It probably has extra to do with Baker’s incapacity to complete a number of catches through the preseason. It is disappointing that he is inactive to start his professional profession, however he’ll have loads of alternative to develop all through the season.

With out Baker, the Patriots can have a receiving corps of DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton, Ok.J. Osborn, and Kayshon Boutte for quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Sunday. 

As for the offensive line, it’s going to be attention-grabbing to see how a lot Lowe performs after he was restricted all week in follow with an stomach harm. Chuks Okorafor is the workforce’s projected starter at left deal with, however Lowe performed a lot better in that spot through the preseason. We’ll see how a lot of a rotation Mayo employs at left deal with on Sunday.

With Sow out (he was dominated out Friday), the Patriots might flip to Michael Jordan to begin at left guard. Jordan was elevated from the New England follow squad on Saturday.

As for the Bengals, Cincinnati can have star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is active despite not reaching a contract extension with the workforce forward of Sunday’s sport. Nonetheless, Joe Burrow won’t have the companies of receiver Tee Higgins, who’s out with a hamstring harm.