New England Patriots

Patriots Inactives: Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski Will Not Play vs. Bills

By Erik Frenz

1 minute to read

pats gronk edelman out.jpg
With the No. 1 seed in the AFC already locked up, neither Julian Edelman nor Rob Gronkowski will suit up for the Pats in their regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills. Elise Amendola/AP

FOXBOROUGH — Some high-profile Patriots players will be getting the day off for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, wide receiver Julian Edelman, tight end Rob Gronkowski, cornerback Brandon Browner, running back Jonas Gray, and offensive linemen Dan Connolly and Sebastian Vollmer will not suit up for the Patriots’ final game of the regular season.

Six of the Patriots’ seven game day inactives are players in starting roles.

Hightower (shoulder) appeared on the injury report this week as a limited participant, and his absence likely means a bigger workload for Jamie Collins and Jonathan Casillas. Browner (groin) and Vollmer (back) were new appearances on this week’s injury report. Their absences likely indicate more playing time for Logan Ryan and Marcus Cannon, respectively.

Edelman (thigh/concussion) has been dealing with nagging injuries for a few weeks now, and could use the day off to rest up. Veteran wide receiver Danny Amendola caught eight passes for 63 yards last week with Edelman out.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com