The Patriots have placed LB Jahlani Tavai on IR to open the season, with the designation to return. Tavai suffered a calf injury back in spring minicamp that recurred after just four days of training camp. His IR placement means he'll miss at least the first four games. We'll see beyond that.

The league on Monday reinstated Patriots S Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner's exempt list. He missed the past seven games after early October assault charges. Peppers' next court date in the case is scheduled for January, and the NFL is reportedly continuing its own investigation.

Patriots S Kyle Dugger is active for today's game against the Rams. He missed the past three weeks with an ankle injury but practiced throughout the week and should be ready for IDP use. Expect Jaylinn Hawkins to join him at safety, with Marte Mapu inactive for the game.

Patriots S Kyle Dugger is inactive for today's game against the Titans, marking the second straight game he'll miss with an ankle sprain. That leaves Jaylinn Hawkins and Marte Mapu as the starting safeties. LB Christian Elliss -- who was also questionable -- is active vs. Tennessee.

Patriots S Kyle Dugger is inactive for today's game against the Jets because of an ankle injury. He was a late addition to the injury report, landing on it Saturday with a "questionable" tag. His absence leaves Marte Mapu and Jaylinn Hawkins as the safety starters. Elsewhere on the Patriots defense, Edge Josh Uche is a healthy scratch. That might indicate he's getting traded this week. Uche has seen too little playing time with New England to be fantasy relevant. We'd have to see what his role might look like elsewhere.