FOXBORO, Mass. — If the Patriots' inactive list is any indication, quarterback Tom Brady's day could come to a quick end against the Dolphins.
Wide receivers Wes Welker (listed on the participation report for non-injury reasons) and Deion Branch (knee) highlight the Pats' inactive list. Without two of his favorite weapons, Brady's day will likely be short-lived, especially with a wet surface after a pregame rain shower.
Tight end Aaron Hernandez (hip), right guard Dan Connolly (concussion), linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (groin), defensive lineman Ron Brace (elbow), defensive lineman Mike Wright (concussion) and defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (not on injury report) are also inactive for Sunday's game against Miami.
Rookie wide receiver Taylor Price, a third-round draft pick, will make his NFL debut after being inactive for the first 15 games of the regular season.
This is the first time Welker has been inactive all season after he suffered a torn ACL in last year's finale, and it's the first time Branch has been inactive since joining the Patriots in Week 6. Banta-Cain is also missing his first game.
Hernandez is out for the second week in a row, while Brace is missing his third game of the season and his first with the elbow injury. Multiple reports indicate Brace will be placed on injured reserve Monday.
Connolly, who was jogging around the field three hours before the game, is out for the second week in a row. Wright is out for the sixth straight game, and Deaderick is missing his sixth game of the season, including the last two.
