Patriots-Dolphins Inactives: Secondary In Tough Spot With Safeties Out

FOXBORO, Mass. -- The New England Patriots will be without their two starting safeties against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. But New England also has a pair of players set to make their season debut, a pair of offensive linemen returning and their three starting cornerbacks active.

The Patriots previously ruled out safety Jabrill Peppers and officially deemed Kyle Dugger inactive after he did not practice all week. Versatile safety Marte Mapu, who started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, is active for the first time this season. Mapu's elevation serves as a big one given the absences of Peppers and Dugger, but the secondary still is in a tough spot against an offense with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

New England cornerbacks Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and Marcus Jones (groin) are both active after being questionable.

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who also started the season on PUP, will make his season debut. Bourne hasn't played since he tore his ACL last October, halting what likely would have been a career year. Rookie receiver Javon Baker is a healthy scratch for the second time this season.

Vederian Lowe is active and expected to start at left tackle. Lowe started at left tackle against the Seattle Seahawks the last time the Patriots played at Gillette Stadium, but missed consecutive contests due to a knee injury. Michael Jordan, who started the first three games at left guard but missed Week 4, also is active for the Patriots.

Nick Leverett is expected to start at center in place of captain and starter David Andrews, who was placed on injured reserve and is unlikely to return this season. Bryan Hudson is active and likely to serve as Leverett's backup.

Of the 11 Patriots players who entered Sunday's contest as questionable -- Dugger (ankle), Bourne (knee), Anfernee Jennings (shoulder), Jonathan Jones (shoulder), Marcus Jones (groin), Jordan (ankle), Leverett (ankle), Lowe (knee), Mapu (calf), K.J. Osborn (shoulder), Layden Robinson (ankle/wrist) -- only Dugger and Osborn are inactive.

Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who started the season on PUP as he dealt with a knee injury, will make his season debut.

Here are the Patriots inactives:
WR K.J. Osborn
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Javon Baker
QB Joe Milton III
S Kyle Dugger
DE Kromah Jamree
TE Jaheim Bell

And the Dolphins inactives:
QB Skylar Thompson
S Jordan Poyer
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
CB Ethan Bonner
LB Channing Tindall
LB Mohamed Kamara
OL Andrew Meyer

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.