Updated, 11:45 a.m. ET
The Jets are expected to play the Patriots on this Christmas Eve afternoon at Gillette Stadium in a steady rain for most of the day. But one player who won't be suiting up for any holiday cheer or raindrops on his helmet is RB Matt Forte.
Forté was limited against Miami last Saturday after banging up his shoulder. He didn't practice this week and was listed as doubtful for the Pats on Friday, and for the first time in his 15-game Jets career he is inactive. Bilal Powell, who got the start against the Dolphins, will start again. And Khiry Robinson (lower leg) is active for the first time this season.
In front of Powell and QB Bryce Petty, making his fourth pro start and his third in a row, the Jets will field their ninth different offensive line alignment this season. Brent Qvale, who sat out the Dolphins game with a hamstring strain, is back and will make the start at RG for Brian Winters, who went on Injured Reserve this week. Fifth-round rookie Brandon Shell, who got the start at RT vs. Miami, will start again alongside Qvale.
Behind Petty, Ryan Fitzpatrick will back up again. QB Christian Hackenberg will be deactivated for the 15th game this season.
NT Steve McLendon (hamstring) and LB Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) were both listed as out on the Friday injury report. Both got injured in the Game 11 New England game at MetLife Stadium last month and each is inactive for the fourth consecutive game.
LB Freddie Bishop will again move into the starting lineup. CB Buster Skrine is also active after sitting out last week's game in the NFL's concussion protocol.
The Jets' complete inactive list:
■ QB Christian Hackenberg
■ RB Matt Forté
■ LB Lorenzo Mauldin
■ T Donald Hawkins
■ WR/KR Jalin Marshall
■ DL Brandin Bryant
■ NT Steve McLendon
And here is the Patriots' inactive list:
■ QB Jacoby Brissett
■ WR/ST Matt Slater
■ CB Justin Coleman
■ RB D.J. Foster
■ LB Dont'a Hightower
■ T LaAdrian Waddle
■ WR Danny Amendola
WR Brandon Marshall is active after being listed as questionable Friday and he will be one of head coach Todd Bowles' two gameday captains for the Jets. The other captain is LB David Harris.
Today's referee is Gene Steratore. It's his 12th Jets game. Among his other Jets games as ref were the 2008 Thursday night win at New England and the victory over Indianapolis in the 2010 AFC Wildcard Round.
