12:28 p.m:
12:19 p.m: Foster could handle kick return duties for the Patriots today. He worked in the return game during the preseason and warmed up in the role alongside James White and Patrick Chung.
Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Cyrus Jones warmed up as punt returners.
I spoked with the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad before the game about some of the difficult matchups for the Patriots.
11:33 a.m: Here are the Patriots’ inactives:
TE AJ Derby
CB Eric Rowe
LB Dont’a Hightower
TE Rob Gronkowski
G Jonathan Cooper
OT LaAdrian Waddle
DT Anthony Johnson
This means cornerback Malcolm Butler, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, defensive end Trey Flowers, guard Shaq Mason, linebacker Shea McClellin, offensive tackle Nate Solder and wide receiver Chris Hogan are active.
Rookie running back D.J. Foster and rookie linebacker Elandon Roberts are active and will make their NFL debuts. Tight end Clay Harbor also will make his Patriots debut after being a healthy scratch last week.
Here are the Dolphins’ inactives:
11:08 a.m: On the defensive side, it appears we will not see linebacker Dont’a Hightower or D-lineman Anthony Johnson today.
Offensively, A.J. Derby reportedly was seen leaving the stadium, meaning Clay Harbor likely will be the No. 2 tight end behind Martellus Bennett. Harbor was inactive for last Sunday’s game in Arizona.
Hightower’s absence was expected after he did not practice this week, but Johnson’s and Derby’s are surprises. — Zack Cox
10:30 a.m: It appears guard Jonathan Cooper won’t play again this week. That will leave the Patriots with Shaq Mason and Ted Karras at right guard. Rookie Joe Thuney is expected to start at left guard.
8:50 a.m. ET: Jimmy Garoppolo made his NFL starting debut last week. Now it’s time for Garoppolo to make his NFL home starting debut.
The New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. The game will air locally on CBS.
The Patriots only have ruled out one player for Sunday afternoon’s game so far: cornerback Eric Rowe. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was listed as questionable, also won’t play, a source told Adam Schefter.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower is listed as doubtful, meaning he likely won’t suit up.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, guard Jonathan Cooper, defensive end Trey Flowers, guard Shaq Mason, linebacker Shea McClellin, offensive tackle Nate Solder and wide receiver Chris Hogan also are questionable to play. Butler, Cannon, Flowers, Mason, McClellin and Hogan are likely to suit up, while the statuses of Cooper and Solder still are up in the air. We’ll find out who’s inactive at 11:30 a.m.
After beating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, many expect the Patriots to have no problem with the Dolphins. But as long as Garoppolo is under center there is uncertainty. Here are the Patriots’ keys to victory.
Stay here for updates and analysis throughout the game.
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