By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Patriots rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry will have to wait at least two more weeks before his NFL debut. He’s officially inactive for Week 9 at the Ravens.
Here’s the full list of inactive players for the Pats in Baltimore on Sunday Night Football:
OL Korey Cunningham
RB Damien Harris
WR N’Keal Harry
QB Cody Kessler
TE Matt LaCosse
WR Gunner Olszewski
CB Joejuan Williams
With Gunner Olszewski also out, that means the Patriots will likely turn to Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, or Patrick Chung as their punt returner against the Ravens. (Update: According to multiple reports, Mohamed Sanu and Jakobi Meyers are also among the punt returners.) Edelman, Dorsett, Sanu, and Meyers are the active receivers for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense.
Jun 5, 2019; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry warms up during mandatory minicamp at the Gillette Stadium practice field. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
At running back, James White and Rex Burkhead are both active after each appeared on the injury report. As for the tight end position, Ryan Izzo is back on the active roster after missing two games with a concussion. Matt LaCosse continues to deal with a reported MCL sprain, but he’s making progress as evidenced by his elevated participation in practice this week.
The Patriots are choosing to be patient with Harry, whom they designated as their first of two players to return from injured reserve (the other was left tackle Isaiah Wynn). He traveled with the team and warmed up with the other inactive players, so he’s at least getting used to the pregame routine. Throwing him right in there against the Ravens in Baltimore in prime time would have been a massive spot for a rookie playing in his first game.
Defensive end Chase Winovich and punter Jake Bailey are the only Patriots rookies to be active in every game this season. Harry joins fellow rookies Olszewski, Damien Harris, and Joejuan Williams among the inactives. Defensive tackle Byron Cowart will be active against the Ravens.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.