Marte Mapu Among Patriots Inactives; Jabrill Peppers to Play

The New England Patriots announced their inactive players for Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts. A change in the lineup at safety is most notable. Marte Mapu is among those who will not play on Sunday. Jabrill Peppers returns to the lineup for the first time since Week 4.

Mapu received no game status designation from New England. This makes his absence appear to be a healthy scratch. It is not a positive sign for a player who was a third-round pick in 2023 and has worn the green dot as the defensive signal-caller at times this season. The Patriots have Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, and Brenden Schooler active at safety.

Peppers returned from the Commissioner’s Exempt List earlier in the week. It is the first game he’s been eligible to play since his arrest and subsequent suspension by the NFL while the case was under investigation. The Patriots are choosing to let Peppers play.

Joining Mapu on the inactive list for New England is emergency QB Joe Milton III, WR K.J. Osborn, OG Lester Cotton, OG Tyrese Robinson, DL Jaquelin Roy, and ED Titus Leo. Only Roy (neck) is dealing with a known injury among this group.

The good news for the Patriots is the number of players available. The team previously ruled OG Cole Strange (neck) out, opting not to activate him to the 53-man roster. Nine players fell under the questionable designation. Eight of the nine are available, with Roy the lone exception.

The New England Patriots (3-9) host the Indianapolis Colts (5-7) at 1 p.m.