Munich awaits.

In just under 90 minutes, the New England Patriots (5-4) and Detroit Lions (6-2) will take the field for an international clash of conferences in Munich, Germany, as part of the NFL’s International Games 2026. Now, we know exactly who will be missing from the lineup when the festivities get underway.

Here’s who’s in — and out — of New England’s tilt against Detroit:

The following Patriots’ players will not be active for this morning’s game:

Prior to beginning practices in Germany, New England ruled Ben Brown (knee), Carlton Davis (knee), and TreVeyon Henderson (illness) out for game day. Henderson has since been placed on injured reserve. Last week, he revealed that he had experienced a “series of unexplained neurological symptoms that required hospitalization for several days.” 

Joining the Patriots’ inactives this weekend are Walter Rouse (concussion protocol) and Brenden Schooler (hamstring). Rouse spent the week working his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol; he missed Wednesday’s practice, but returned as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. Schooler exited New England’s Week 9 loss with the hamstring injury and was a limited participant for Thursday and Friday’s practices.

The Lions will not be dressing the following players against the Patriots in Germany:

Detroit ruled out three players prior to game day: safety Kerby Joseph (knee), center Cade Mays (ankle) and cornerback D.J. Reed (hip). Joseph was a limited participant on Wednesday, practiced in full on Thursday, but did not partake in Friday’s session and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Mays and Reed did not practice all week for the Lions. 

In addition to those players who were ruled out for Sunday morning’s contest, several other active players spent time on each team’s injury report during the week.

New England’s offense will get an unexpected boost with the availability of Rhamondre Stevenson. Earlier this week, an MRI revealed that Stevenson has a plantaris tendon injury in the back of his right knee. He was initially believed to miss multiple weeks, but practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday in Germany. While it’s still unclear how involved he’ll be in the game plan, his presence bolsters the Patriots backfield in both the running and passing games. If Stevenson is on a pitch-count this morning, Corey Kiner will have an opportunity to operate with a more full-time workload — and has made the most of the limited chances he’s been given thus far.

After participating in each practice for the first time in two weeks, A.J. Brown will also take the field for New England in Munich. In addition to his continuing recovery from a high ankle sprain suffered in the season-opener, Brown has experienced a flare-up caused by a previous knee injury that has lingered around his status since before the Patriots acquired him in June. Adding Brown into the lineup will be another boost to a passing game that enters action with a favorable matchup in the secondary.

In addition to those players ruled out prior to game day, New England listed nine players as questionable for Week 10: A.J. Brown (knee/ankle), Kevin Byard III (chest), Reggie Gilliam (knee), Cameron Latu (back), Walter Rouse (concussion protocol), Brenden Schooler (hamstring), Rhamondre Stevenson (knee), Greg Van Roten (hamstring), and Charles Woods (hamstring).

Latu, Rouse, Schooler, and Stevenson each missed Wednesday’s practice, but returned as limited participants on Thursday and Friday. Brown was a limited participant all week, while Byard, Gilliam, Van Roten, and Woods all began the week limited, but logged a full Friday session prior to the weekend.

Hunter Henry (foot), Morgan Moses (foot), and Drake Maye (right shoulder) were also listed on the Patriots’ injury report during the week, but carried no game day designations.

On the other sideline, the Lions listed two players as questionable: wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) and running back Sione Vaki (ankle).

St. Brown spent the entire week as a limited participant in practice, but his game day availability is no surprise. He has not missed any time due to injury this season, and of German descent, this morning’s affair was not likely to be the first time he sat out this season. 

Vaki did not participate on Wednesday or Thursday, but returned to practice in limited capacity on Friday. The primary spell back to Jahmyr Gibbs, Vaki’s excellence as a blocker this season has been noted with the fourth-highest pass-blocking grade among running backs (77.0, per PFF).

Detroit also listed cornerback Brian Branch (hip), quarterback Jared Goff (chest), running back Jacob Saylors (neck/hamstring), and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum (concussion protocol) on their injury report during the week, but none carried a game day designation.

Both teams made multiple roster transactions prior to game day, including practice squad elevations and activations to the 53-man roster:

New England elevated offensive lineman Andrew Rupcich from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, and activated Reggie Gilliam and Greg Van Roten to the 53-man roster from injured reserve.

Rupcich spent training camp and the preseason with the Patriots, but was released after suffering an injury in the preseason opener. He initially pushed Ben Brown for the top backup spot along the interior, which was eventually won by Van Roten after his signing. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 19.

Van Roten took over starting duties at right guard following Mike Onwenu’s placement on injured reserve, but exited the game in the first half and landed on the list himself. With Matt Pryor excelling on the right side, Van Roten will likely slide over to left guard with the starters.

Gilliam will provide a major boost to New England’s ground game. He last saw action in Week 4, and played on 36.6% of the Patriots’ offensive plays in the first month of the regular season. In the five weeks since his departure, New England’s usage of 21 personnel dropped to just 2.8% (per SūmerSports).

The Lions also made one practice squad elevation prior to Sunday: linebacker Owen Pappoe.

Pappoe was initially drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth-round (No. 168 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft and appeared in 49 games over his first three seasons, primarily as a special teams contributor. He was signed to Detroit’s practice squad on November 4. 

How do you think the Patriots will fare against the Lions in Munich this morning? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.

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