Before the New England Patriots play a game, we will attempt to predict the team's inactive players.
Our best guess for Sunday's game against the Bengals (with eight players listed to account for Brandon Browner's expected return):
CB Malcolm Butler -- With Browner coming back from suspension, the numbers at cornerback are deep.
OT/G Jordan Devey -- He went from starter to inactive last week, and it comes down to him or Josh Kline for this spot.
CB Alfonzo Dennard -- Opening-day starter has missed the past three games with a shoulder injury, and until he's back in game action, we will keep him on this list.
DT Dominique Easley -- Rookie appeared on the injury report Friday (knee) and is questionable, which could be cause for some concern.
S Nate Ebner -- Core special teamer and dime defender has already been ruled out with a finger injury.
OT/G Cameron Fleming -- Rookie who started at right guard on Monday night has already been ruled out with a finger injury.
DE Zach Moore -- Temped to put the rookie on the active roster with Chandler Jones (shoulder) and Dont'a Hightower (knee) limited, but he has been inactive the past three games. If Jones or Hightower can't go, Moore could be up.
WR Kenbrell Thompkins -- One figures the Patriots will enter the game with four active receivers, and it's Thompkins or Aaron Dobson as the odd-man out.
ACCOUNTABILITY CHECK: It was a third straight 4-for-7 effort last week, but it helped to know that cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was out beforehand. Brandon LaFell should have never been on the list last week, which is a 5-yard penalty for bad judgment.