For those hoping to get a look at Troy Brown, you’re going to have to wait at least another week. The 15-year receiver was put on the inactive list for today’s game.
Also joining Brown from the Steelers is another key “Troy,” Polamalu. The safety hurt his groin two weeks ago and was “doubtful” since Wednesday.
Here are the inactives for both teams:
Patriots
QB Matt Gutierrez
CB Eddie Jackson
S Rashad Baker
G Stephen Neal
T Wesley Britt
WR Troy Brown
DL Le Kevin Smith
LB Chad Brown
The Steelers
WR Willie Reed
RB Gary Russell
S Troy Polamula
LB LaMarr Woodley
C Marvin Philip
G Darnell Stapleton
T Tral Essex
More pre-game notes:
By the numbers
0.5 — Sacks Mike Vrabel needs to reach 10.0, which would be a new career high, and the first Patriot since Willie McGinest to reach double figures (11.0 in 1995).
1 — Wins for Pats to become the third Patriots team with 13 or more wins (2003, 2004).
1 — TD passes by Tom Brady to reach 42 for the season, fourth most of all-time.
1 — TD by Randy Moss to pass Curtis Martin’s franchise record (17).
2 — Rushing TDs by Laurence Maroney to become the 19th player in franchise history to reach at least 10 rushing TDs.
6 – Receptions Wes Welker needs to become the fourth receiver in franchise history with at least 90 catches (Brown, 101 in ‘01 and 97 in ‘02; Ben Coates, 96 in ‘94; Terry Glenn, 90 in ‘96).
31 – Points needed by the Patriots to reach 500 points for the season, only the 12th team in NFL history to reach that mark.
71 — Receiving yards needed by Moss to become the second player in franchise history with at least 1,200 yards (Stanley Morgan, 1,491 in ‘86).
304 — Passing yards Brady needs to reach 4,000 yards for the season (Brady in ‘05; Drew Bledsoe in ‘94, ‘96).
