Patriots vs. Panthers Inactives Overview
As the New England Patriots gear up for their Week 4 showdown against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium, both teams have unveiled their lists of inactive players. The Patriots will be without six players, while the Panthers will sit seven.
Patriots Inactive List
The Patriots’ inactives for the game include:
RG Jared Wilson
DT Eric Gregory
G Caedan Wallace
WR Efton Chism, III
OLB Elijah Ponder
QB Tommy DeVito (3rd QB)
Impact of Wilson’s Absence
Jared Wilson’s absence is particularly noteworthy. The rookie guard missed the first two days of practice leading up to the game. Although he participated in the media portion of the final practice, the decision was made to keep him sidelined for Week 4. Wilson, who has played every offensive snap for the Patriots this season, has been a critical asset on the offensive line, showcasing both athleticism and versatility. His injury, which caused him to limp during last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaves a significant gap in the offensive front.
In his stead, reserve interior lineman Ben Brown is expected to step in at left guard. Brown has been preparing for this moment, having taken multiple snaps at the position during training camp and preseason. The team will be counting on him to provide stability alongside starting left tackle Will Campbell.
Christian Gonzalez’s Highly Anticipated Return
Amidst these challenges, the return of star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is a beacon of hope for the Patriots. After several months of recovery, Gonzalez is set to make his season debut. Prior to the Week 4 practices, both head coach Mike Vrabel and Gonzalez hinted at an increased workload, signaling readiness for action.
Gonzalez’s journey back to the field has been closely monitored since he sustained a hamstring injury. The incident occurred while he was attempting to cover receiver Stefon Diggs, leading to a prolonged absence from all on-field activities, including the first three games of the season. With Gonzalez now back in the mix, the Patriots are optimistic about bolstering their secondary against a Panthers offense looking to find its rhythm.
As the clock ticks toward the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, both teams prepare to face off in what promises to be a compelling match-up at Gillette Stadium.
