Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Why Mike Gillislee is a healthy scratch for second week in a row

MEXICO CITY -- Running back Mike Gillislee is a healthy scratch for the second week in a row, which headlines the New England Patriots' list of inactive players for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders at Estadio Azteca (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET).

Gillislee joins reserve cornerback Eric Rowe (groin), starting defensive tackle Malcom Brown (ankle), starting center David Andrews (illness), starting right tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle), wide receiver Chris Hogan (shoulder) and special teams captain Matthew Slater (hamstring).

As noted on Friday, Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead have decisively taken over the Patriots' lead running role alongside "passing back" James White, so if Gillislee was to sneak on the 46-man game-day roster, it would have to be a result of seven players on the injury report not being ready for action. As it turned out, there were six players on the injury report who weren't cleared for action, making Gillislee the lone healthy scratch.

One of the primary things working against Gillislee is that he doesn't provide front-line value on special teams. Because of that, carrying a fourth backup tight end in Jacob Hollister has more value to the team than a fourth running back because Hollister plays on multiple special-teams units. The team also wants to have as much depth as possible along the defensive line (Cassius Marsh returns this week after missing Sunday's game with a shoulder injury) and at linebacker because there might be a more liberal rotation with the altitude in mind.

Meanwhile, with two offensive linemen out, undrafted offensive lineman Cole Croston is active for the first time this season. He is the seventh offensive lineman behind the five starters and Cameron Fleming.

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