Patriots-Broncos inactives: Stidham supplants Hoyer as backup

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Cam Newton is officially back for the Patriots, making his return to the field Sunday afternoon against the Broncos. But Newton's return to action isn't the only change on the Patriots' depth chart at quarterback.

With Brian Hoyer inactive for the game, Jarrett Stidham is the team's new No. 2 quarterback -- a change from the team's first three games this season, when Hoyer was active on the game-day roster behind Newton while Stidham was inactive and didn't dress.

When Newton was sidelined for the team's Week 4 game in Kansas City, Hoyer was unimpressive as the starter, completing 15 of 24 passes for 130 yards and an interception. Stidham came on in relief in the second half, completing 5 of 13 passes for 60 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

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In addition to Hoyer, the Patriots' other inactives for Sunday's game are RB J.J. Taylor, TE Dalton Keene, DL Carl Davis, and DB Myles Bryant. That means all of the four players who were moved from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Saturday -- OL Caleb Benenoch, TE/DE Rashod Berry, WR Isaiah Zuber, and DL Nick Thurman -- are all active against Denver.

The Broncos' inactives include QB Jeff Driskel, who started the team's Week 3 loss to the Buccaneers when starting QB Drew Lock was out with an injury; RB Melvin Gordon, who didn't even travel to New England after coming down with strep throat; and TE Noah Fant, who leads the team with 19 receptions this season.

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