Patriots Inactives: Hernandez, Mankins, Chung Out; Welker In vs. Colts
BOSTON (CBS) - The Patriots will have receiver Wes Welker on Sunday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts but will be without guard Logan Mankins and tight end Aaron Hernandez, who are among the seven inactives for New England.
Mankins left last week's win over the Bills after teammate Dan Connolly rolled up on him in the second half. Mankins was seen leaving Gillette Stadium in a protective walking boot after the game.
Connolly is also inactive against the Colts after injuring his back last week against Buffalo, leaving the Patriots without either of their starting guards. Look for Nick McDonald on the left and Donald Thomas on the right, which is what New England threw out there for the end of last week's win over the Bills.
This will be the third straight game Hernandez has missed, and sixth overall with a right ankle sprain. The tight end suffered the injury in the Patriots' Week 2 loss to the Cardinals, returned in Week 5 against the Seahawks and played the following week against the Jets, but hasn't played since.
Safety Patrick Chung will also miss Sunday's game, his fourth straight with a shoulder injury. Chung tweeted "Gotta love business" shortly before the New England inactives were announced, but the tweet was quickly removed from his account.
Chung is in a contract year, and has no interceptions and just 26 tackles in six games played this season.
The other inactives for New England are tight end Daniel Fells and defensive ends Jake Bequette and Justin Francis.
Welker was questionable on Friday's injury report with an ankle injury he suffered back in October against the Rams and tweaked last week against the Bills. Welker leads the Patriots this season with 66 receptions for 810 yards.
