Malcolm Mitchell's surprise presence on the Patriots' inactive list for Sunday's game against the Bills means the Pats are going with only three true wide receivers -- Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan -- against Buffalo.
With fewer receivers available, this could be a big 12 personnel game for the Pats if Martellus Bennett (who was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report but who is active) is feeling good. Amendola could see a bump in playing time, as well.
Julian Edelman, who was questionable for the game with a foot injury, is active.
Newly-acquired linebacker Kyle Van Noy is inactive for Sunday's matchup as well. He arrived from Detroit via trade earlier this week and is still working to catch up on the Patriots' defensive system and all the concepts and language that make it go.
Rookie defensive tackle Vincent Valentine, who has missed the last three weeks due to a back injury, is active and will provide Alan Branch and Malcom Mitchell with some help on the interior of the Patriots' front. Fellow rookie Cyrus Jones, New England's second-round corner, is a healthy scratch for the third consecutive week. He has not seen playing time since being ejected from the team's Week 5 win over the Browns.
One more intersting note: Tyler Gaffney is back on the 53-man roster after earning a promotion from the practice squad this week, but he won't be playing today as he's inactive.
The Bills will be without arguably their best player as running back LeSean McCoy, as expected, has been made inactive. Starting safety Aaron Williams and receiver Marquise Goodwin are also down.
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The Patriots inactive list:
RB Tyler Gaffney
LB Kyle Van Noy
DL Woodrow Hamilton
RB D.J. Foster
T LaAdrian Waddle
CB Cyrus Jones
WR Malcolm Mitchell
The Bills inactive list:
RB LeSean McCoy
WR Marquise Goodwin
QB Cardale Jones
OT Seantrel Henderson
C Patrick Lewis
DL Jerel Worthy
S Aaron Williams