The weekly injury report issued by Bill Belichick every Friday has rarely given fans or the media any insight as to who might project as being inactive on Sunday afternoons - and there's no reason to believe that trend will be any different this season.
Brutish tight end Rob Gronkowski is listed as doubtful on this week's report, but unless he's listed as "Out", Belichick will take the fully allotted amount of time to announce whether he will be active for Sunday's season opener against the Bills in Buffalo.
The Patriots' roster currently sits at 52 players, and by league mandate all teams must declare an active roster of 46 within fifteen minutes of kickoff, so expect Belichick to display his customary gamesmanship in keeping the Bills coaching staff in the dark as to whether the All World tight end will be active...
...and don't think it couldn't happen or wouldn't happen, because Gronkowski hasn't seen any significant game action in nine months and it's not beyond the spectrum of reason that he gets a few spot reps in this game to get back into the flow of game action.
Well Stivek was declared "out" on the report, so that's one down for sure - and it's not really a surprise given the fact that he has been seen sporting a knee brace and limping around the locker room all week - Gronkowski was the only player declared doubtful, and beyond him is a short list of play-thru-it boo boo's.
Running back Brandon Bolden is also battling through a knee, and though he practiced all week he is a prime candidate to join Stvek for being scratched from this contest, while receiver Aaron Dobson and safety Duron Harmon are questionable with sore hamstrings and safety Nate Ebner the same with a twisted ankle.
All but Ebner should make the game day roster along with receiver Danny Amendola and his achy groin - but that begs the question, who stays in street clothes?
We can definitely look in the direction of the newly signed folks, like defensive tackle A. J. Francis and linebacker Chris White, deadline cuts from the Dolphins and Lions, respectively, and perhaps not up to speed on the Patriots' way of doing things.
If Gronkowski dresses, James Develin could be a candidate for the Pine Patrol, though his special teams' value raises his stock, and with Marcus Cannon being healthy and ready to contribute at either tackle or at right guard, newcomer guard Chris Barker may find himself watching from the sideline as well.
Ebner appears to be the odd man out on the list of questionable's, though his special teams contributions may trump that. Dobson needs game day reps with quarterback Tom Brady more than any other receiver, so if he can play, he should be on the active roster - and with the thinness of the depth at safety, Harmon's presence is vital.
Projected inactive List:
Will Stivek OT
Chris Barker OG
James Develin FB
Nate Ebner SS
A. J. Francis DT
Chris White LB
Gronkowski is the wild card in this scenario. Should he join the inactive ranks, Develin would likely take his spot on the active roster.
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