EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- The Patriots have activated linebacker Dont'a Hightower for Sunday's game with Jets despite the fact that he left last week's game against the Titans with a knee injury.
In the third quarter of New England's win over Tennessee, Hightower appeared to aggravate the injury that he originally suffered in Week 12, but it was not significant enough to keep him sidelined this week.
Hightower practiced this week in a limited capacity and was questionable coming into the game.
Newly-acquired Patriots running back Steven Jackson will also be active versus the Jets. It will be Jackson's first game action since Week 16 of last season when he was playing for the Falcons. The Patriots had Jackson in for a workout last week and announced his signing on Tuesday. He'll join fellow backs James White, Brandon Bolden and Joey Iosefa in the New England backfield.
The majority of the Patriots inactive players were known going in to Sunday as Julian Edelman (foot), Danny Amendola (knee), Devin McCourty (ankle), Patrick Chung (foot) and Jonathan Freeny (hand) had been ruled out by Saturday.
Offensive lineman Josh Kline (shoulder) will not be in uniform, and newly-acquired corner Troy Hill will be a healthy scratch. Kline played 21 snaps against the Titans in Week 15 after missing Week 14 due to his shoulder injury.
With Kline out, the Patriots have activated offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle for the first time. Waddle was acquired last week off of waivers from the Lions.
New England Patriots
Patriots tight end Scott Chandler, who missed the Titans game due to a knee injury, will be active against the Jets.