Already missing passing-game weapons Shane Vereen, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots had to make do without rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld against the New York Jets on Thursday night.
Sudfeld was declared inactive after injuring his hamstring after playing just 20 snaps in the Patriots' season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills. He's joined on the inactive list by New England backup running back Brandon Bolden, who is nursing a knee injury.
Rookie wide receiver Aaron Dobson, who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury of his own, made his NFL debut Thursday night. He and fellow rookie Josh Boyce could have significant roles with so many key players out of the lineup.
Veteran tailback and kick returner Leon Washington also made his Patriots debut. Look for Washington to take over Vereen's role as the primary running back in pass-heavy situations such as third-and-long and the two-minute drill.
Minus a handful of his most important skill-position players, coach Bill Belichick doesn't have the luxury of keeping Stevan Ridley in the doghouse after the starting running back's fumble woes resurfaced in the season opener.
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