Patriots S Kyle Dugger, WRs KJ Osborn and Tyquan Thornton are inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans

New England's inactive players on game day are FS Kyle Dugger (ankle), WR KJ Osborn, WR Tyquan Thornton, DT Eric Johnson and QB Joe Milton is the third quarterback in an emergency. After coming off the injury report, rookie QB Drake Maye is expected to start, with veteran Jacoby Brissett backing him up on Sunday.

On the other hand, the inactive Titans are CB L'Jaruis Sneed, QB Will Levis, RB Tyjae Spears, T Dillon Radunz, TE David Martin-Robinson, LB Cedric Gray and CB Tre Avery. The Titans are expected to start QB Mason Rudolph.

At wide receiver, trade candidates KJ Osborn and Tyquan Thornton are inactive as the trade deadline approaches. The Pats' wideouts are healthy scratches, as was pass rusher Joshua Uche before he was dealt to the Chiefs earlier this week. While it's just rumors at this point, it's worth noting that New England gave them a decent lead ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.

Without the two veterans, newcomers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are expected to be back. Polk, who struggled in his first season, returns after missing last week's game with a concussion. Baker, on the other hand, is up for the second week in a row. The fourth-rounder made the gameday roster as a kick returner in Week 8, but should get some chances at wide receiver this week after not playing any offensive snaps against the Jets.

Safety Kyle Dugger switches to defense and is inactive for the second straight day. Dugger is dealing with a nagging ankle injury suffered in the Week 4 loss to the 49ers. During practice this week, Dugger was seen talking with team trainers and safeties coach Brian Belichick. He's obviously trying to battle the injury, but Dugger hasn't been able to play since the team's trip to London in Week 7.

Although he brought a questionable designation into play, Dugger's inactivity will lead to speculation that he could be involved in trade talks. His name came up in a report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, in which Russini reported that the Patriots are listening to offers for their defensive captain. From that perspective, it would be perplexing if New England traded away a “core” player they prioritized this offseason.

Last March, the Patriots placed Dugger on the interim tag to maintain team control of his free agency. Then, in early April, the team signed Dugger to a four-year, $58 million contract. Although he was not initially named captain, Dugger replaced LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (IR) as captain earlier this season. The rebuilding Patriots are likely open for business at the deadline, but it would be surprising to sign one of their best players months after signing him to a multiyear deal.

As for how the Patriots will cover up Dugger's departure, S/LB Marte Mapu has recently taken on a similar role to Dugger, playing in the box, above the slot and as a deep safety in various roles. Undrafted rookie Dell Pettus and FS Jaylinn Hawkins are the primary defenders playing alongside Mapu on the backend, and one would expect that safety rotation to continue this week.

Elsewhere on the roster, rookie QB Drake Maye is officially active and expected to start after clearing concussion protocol. Maye was removed from the team's injury report heading to Tennessee. Last week, Maye was given a concussion after suffering a helmet-to-helmet blow to the back of the head during an 18-yard scramble. Jets LB Jermaine Sherwood was not shown in real time for the hit, but the NFL fined Sherwood for the helmet-to-helmet contact. Maye was removed from the game in the second quarter and did not return.

During the week the selection was limited to third place overall in all three training sessions. However, Maye was making progress as his participation in training seemed to increase with each passing day. The Pats' QB1 was then cleared by team doctors and the independent neurological consultant.

As for blocking for Maye, starting player LT Vederian Lowe is officially active. Lowe was listed as questionable on the team's most recent injury report due to ankle and shoulder issues, but he is good to go, as is starter Michael Jordan (ankle), who was also questionable.

With both questionable starters active, the Patriots' projected starting offense consists of LT Vederian Lowe, LG Michael Jordan, C Ben Brown, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Trey Jacobs. Hopefully this group will build on recent performances in stabilizing the Pats' pass protection. After ranking last with an opponent pressure rate of 46%, New England has settled at 35% pressure rate allowed since Week 6 (15th).

With that in mind, here's QB Drake Maye's supporting cast on Sunday:

OL – LT Lowe, LG Jordan, C Brown, RG Onwenu, RT Jacobs
RB – Stevenson, Gibson, Hasty
WR – Bourne, Douglas, Boutte, Polk, Baker
TE – Henry, Hooper, Bell

Finally, questionable players LB Christian Elliss (abdomen) and DT Jaquelin Roy (neck) are active in New England's defense. The two Pats defensemen have emerged as contributors in the front seven. Elliss starts alongside LB Jahlani Tavai and played 84% of the defensive snaps last week, while Roy has a rotating role on the interior defensive line (30 snaps in Week 8). The two are active, although they only have a few participants in training this week.

After a big division win over the Jets last week, the Patriots are looking to snap their first two-game winning streak since the middle of the 2022 season. With the two teams combining for three wins, the Titans are slight three-point home favorites. However, this is about the best lineup the Patriots could have with Maye returning.

The Patriots face the Titans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.