Four key Patriots are active for tonight's game, Deion Branch inactive for Colts


What is significant about tonight's inactive list isn't who is on it, but who is not on it.



Logan Mankins, Alfonzo Dennard, Devin McCourty and Kenbrell Thompkins are all active.

Dennard and Thompkins have not played very much at all the last half of the year as they've struggled with injuries. Mankins had to be helped off the field in the team's regular season finale.

McCourty also joins the team after missing the team's final game against Buffalo.


Branch had noted that he was trying to pick up the Indy playbook quickly. Evidently, he did not.