Key defensive player no longer on Patriots list of inactives

The New England Patriots defense is getting a huge boost on Sunday with the return of Kyle Dugger. They played without the hard-hitting safety in their disappointing 37-26 loss in their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens last week.

So having him back on the field when facing Aaron Rodgers and a talented Green Bay Packers defense is a big plus for a Patriots team that was pegged as 10.5-point underdogs earlier in the week.

Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news on the defensive side of the ball with the Patriots’ No. 1 corner, Jalen Mills, being out for this matchup. His absence will be something to keep an eye on throughout the game. The team will also be without veteran defensive tackle Lawrence Guy.

There are already serious questions on the offensive side of the ball for the Patriots without Mac Jones under center. That means backup quarterback Brian Hoyer will face tremendous pressure to carry the load when coming face-to-face with an aggressive Packers defensive front.

He’ll have to lean on receivers like Nelson Agholor, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Kendrick Bourne to make offensive plays with Jakobi Meyers out with a knee injury. Here’s the full list of inactives for the Patriots.

There’s no clear timetable for Jones to return from the high ankle sprain he suffered in the loss to the Ravens. Even with a lighter schedule over the next six weeks, a 1-3 start for the Patriots would be quite the hole early in the season.

Getting back on track and stunning the Packers at Lambeau Field would ultimately push back on the doom and gloom narrative surrounding the team.

List

3 veteran quarterbacks not named Brian Hoyer for Patriots

Story originally appeared on Patriots Wire