Patriots vs. Dolphins inactive: Both starting safeties are under pressure

The New England Patriots defense will be shorthanded in Week 5 as they are missing both starting safeties against the Miami Dolphins. After excluding Jabrill Peppers on Saturday, Kyle Dugger was also placed on the inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday.

Dugger injured his ankle last week against the San Francisco 49ers and was trending toward inactivity after not participating in practice before the Dolphins game. With both he and Peppers, who is dealing with a shoulder problem, unavailable, New England will rely on his backup players: Jaylinn Hawkins is the next man up, while recently activated Marte Mapu, undrafted rookie Dell Pettus and the Career special teams player Brenden Schooler's turn could also factor into the mix.

The rest of the Patriots' inactives look like this:

Patriots inactive

• WR Javon Baker
• TE Jaheim Bell
• S Kyle Dugger
• EN Jamree Kromah
• QB Joe Milton III (emergency QB)
• WR KJ Osborn
• S Jabrill peppers

Of the Patriots' seven inactive players, three were injured over the weekend. In addition to Dugger and Peppers, KJ Osborn also left; A shoulder problem forced him to miss the game against Miami.

The four other inactives, however, are all healthy scratches.

The downside of this is that nine questionable players will be cleared to play in a timely manner. Offensive players Vederian Lowe (knee), Michael Jordan (ankle), Nick Leverett (ankle) and Layden Robinson (ankle, wrist) are in this group, as are fullback Anfernee Jennings (shoulder) and cornerbacks Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and Marcus Jones (groin).

In addition to those seven, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) and safety/linebacker Marte Mapu (calf) were activated from the PUP and injured reserve list, respectively. Both were also listed as questionable on Friday.

Dolphins inactive

• CB Ethan Bonner
• LB Mohamed Kamara
• OL Andrew Meyer
• S Jordan Poyer
• QB Skylar Thompson
• LB Channing Tindall
• RB Jeff Wilson Jr.

The Dolphins' list of inactive players includes two notable names. Safety Jordan Poyer was already out for the game with a shin injury, while the only other player on the injury report – QB Skylar Thompson (ribs) – also won't play on Sunday; With Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, that means third-string quarterback Tyler Huntley will once again tie the starting lineup.

Kickoff between the Patriots and Dolphins at Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. According to the latest odds from FanDuel, New England enters the game as a 1.5-point home underdog.