Report: Patriots WR Mitchell (knee) will not play vs. Texans

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The Patriots might have faced a difficult decision Saturday night in terms of how many receivers they should activate against the Texans, but it appears as though that decision has been made for them due to an injury. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Malcolm Mitchell will not play in the Divisional Round matchup at Gillette Stadium. Mitchell was listed as questionable due to a knee injury he suffered in a Week 16 win over the Jets. He did not play in the regular-season finale, and he was the only injured player listed on New England's final injury report of the week.

With Mitchell out, the Patriots will likely roll with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola and Michael Floyd as their four wideouts. Had Mitchell been healthy enough to play, the team would have had an interesting choice to make: Would they activate five wideouts and de-activate a player at another position, like cornerback, in order to make room? Or would they simply pick their top four wideouts and maintain at their other positions?

For Amendola, it will be his first game back after injuring his ankle in a win over the Rams in Week 13. He was a full participant in practice this week, and should be ready to go for whatever duties the Patriots ask of him as a receiver or a returner on special teams. 

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