FOXBORO -- Aaron Hernandez is inactive and will miss his third straight game with a sprained right ankle while Logan Mankins will return after a one-game absence due to an injured hip. Hernandez sprained right ankle on Sept. 16 against the Cardinals at Gillette Stadium.
Also active and playing is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has reportedly been dealing with significant soreness and pain in his hip for the last two weeks.
Receiver Julian Edelman (left hand) and safety Steve Gregory (hip) were ruled out on Friday with their injuries. Filling out the inactive list are rookie linebacker Dont'a Hightower (hamstring), tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion), defensive end Jake Bequette and offensive lineman Matt Tennant.
For complete coverage from the team of Chris Price and Mike Petraglia on the scene at Gillette, visit the Patriots team page at weei.com/patriots [1] and the blog It Is What It Is [2].
Links:
[1] http://www.weei.com/patriots
[2] http://www.itiswhatitis.weei.com
[3] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/patriots