Patriots Inactives: Garrett Bradbury In, Marcus Bryant Out in Monday Night Shakeup
FOXBORO - Just hours before kickoff, the Patriots’ Monday night lineup is seeing some unexpected shifts - and a few key confirmations.
Starting at the center of it all, literally and figuratively, Garrett Bradbury will play despite being a late addition to the injury report with an illness. The veteran center was listed as questionable earlier in the day, but he’s good to go. That’s a big boost for a Patriots offensive line that’s already navigating some turbulence.
One of the bigger surprises? Rookie offensive tackle Marcus Bryant is a healthy scratch.
That’s not something many saw coming, especially with fellow rookie left tackle Will Campbell already on injured reserve. Instead, the Patriots are turning to newly added veteran Thayer Munford Jr., who gets the nod over Bryant.
Munford’s experience and versatility clearly gave him the edge in a game where protection up front is going to be critical.
Outside linebacker Harold Landry III, who was also questionable with a knee issue, is active and ready to roll. That’s another key piece for the Patriots defense, especially with their depth already tested.
Here’s the full list of Patriots inactives for Monday night:
- DT Khyiris Tonga (chest)
- OLB Bradyn Swinson
- OT Marcus Bryant
- TE CJ Dippre
- QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third QB)
- LG Jared Wilson (ankle)
- S/ST Brenden Schooler (ankle)
Breaking Down the Inactives
Let’s start in the trenches. Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who came into the night listed as questionable, won’t suit up.
With Milton Williams on injured reserve, that leaves the Patriots thin at defensive tackle. Expect a rotation featuring Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, rookies Eric Gregory and Joshua Farmer, plus Jeremiah Pharms Jr., who was elevated from the practice squad.
It’s a young, untested group outside of Barmore - and they’ll be asked to hold the line.
Bradyn Swinson, who made his NFL debut last week on special teams, is inactive this week. The coaching staff appears to be prioritizing depth at other positions, especially with defensive line numbers already stretched.
On the offensive side, Caedan Wallace is set to make his season debut. The versatile lineman can play both guard and tackle, and his activation adds some flexibility up front.
His presence may have played a role in the decision to sit Bryant, who briefly filled in for Morgan Moses during last week’s win over the Bengals. Still, Bryant’s scratch is a notable development for a rookie who’s seen some action.
Tight end CJ Dippre, signed to the 53-man roster last month, is still waiting on his NFL debut. He’ll be inactive once again.
Quarterback Tommy DeVito, the former Giant, is listed as the emergency third quarterback. He can only enter the game if both Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs go down - a scenario no one in New England wants to see.
Left guard Jared Wilson and special teams ace Brenden Schooler were both ruled out on Saturday after suffering injuries in last week’s win. Ben Brown is expected to start in Wilson’s place on the interior line.
On special teams, look for cornerbacks Miles Battle and Charles Woods, along with safety Dell Pettus, to help fill the void left by Schooler. Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed those adjustments heading into the matchup.
Final Thoughts
The Patriots are walking into Monday night with a reshuffled lineup and some big decisions made at the last minute. Bradbury’s availability is a welcome sign, but the absence of Tonga and Bryant - especially with the team already dealing with injuries - will test the depth on both lines.
This is one of those games where the next-man-up mentality isn’t just a slogan - it’s the reality. And with a mix of rookies, practice squad elevations, and veterans stepping into bigger roles, we’re about to see how deep this Patriots roster really goes.