Patriots DE Lawrence Guy, S Devin McCourty, LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, DT Adam Butler and CB J.C. Jackson are all active for today's finale against the Jets after entering the day questionable.

Patriots S Devin McCourty (shoulder) is active. He entered the day questionable but is OK to use as you normally would in IDP lineups.

Patriots S Devin McCourty is active for Sunday's game against the Saints after entering the day questionable with a groin issue. He's fine to use in IDP lineups against a pass-heavy Saints offense.

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich (shin), S Patrick Chung (foot) and S Devin McCourty (ankle) are active for today's finale against the Dolphins. Ninkovich carries big IDP upside, while the safeties don't look particularly attractive for your lineup. Getting them both back after missing McCourty and Chung last week can only help the pass defense and the team D outlook for fantasy, though.

The New England defense could be missing some key pieces at Miami on Sunday. The Patriots have ruled out DE Chandler Jones (toe) and LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) and deemed DE Rob Ninkovich (shin) questionable. Ninkovich only practiced Thursday this week. The moves make DE Jabaal Sheard the best IDP bet on the New England D-line and chip away at the defense's upside. The matchup with a reeling Dolphins offense keeps the Patriots among the most attractive fantasy targets for the week, though. Safeties Patrick Chung (foot) and Devin McCourty (ankle) are also questionable after missing last week's loss to the Jets.

Patriots S Patrick Chung (foot) and S Devin McCourty (ankle) are inactive for today's game against the Jets. LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) is active but a risky play who could well see his time limited. He has twice tweaked the same knee now.

Patriots S Devin McCourty (ankle) is inactive for today's game against the Titans. LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) will return to action, though, despite entering the day questionable. His knee issue makes him an iffy bet for playing time, however, especially if New England builds a big lead. S Patrick Chung (foot) is active as well and fine to use as you normally would. He hasn't seen his playing time limited recently.

As usual, a whole bunch of Patriots are questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. On defense, that includes S Devin McCourty (ankle), S Patrick Chung (foot) and LB Dont'a Hightower (knee). McCourty put in just a limited practice Friday after missing the previous 2 days and looks the shakiest. Chung has already played through a "questionable" tag the past 2 weeks and should be find for IDP lineups. Hightower missed the past 2 games and will be a threat to play fewer snaps than usual even if he returns. He's tough to like as an IDP option, even in an upside matchup.

Patriots S Devin McCourty suffered what the team fears to be a high ankle sprain in Sunday night's win at Houston, according to the Boston Globe. Such an injury would likely keep McCourty out for at least Week 15 against the Titans and might threaten the rest of his regular season. McCourty's a much better real-life player than IDP asset, so you can comfortably drop him for a replacement if you own him in fantasy. We'll keep an eye on who's in line to start at the back of the Pats' secondary this week.

Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo reports that Patriots S Devin McCourty is expected to re-sign with New England. The news is a bit surprising considering how close we are to free agency and McCourty's perch near the top of the free-agent list across positions. He hasn't been much of an IDP factor through most of his 5 seasons to date, so don't expect a drastic change on that front. McCourty's continued presence would certainly help a Patriots team D with a solid front 7.

UPDATE: McCourty also tweeted, "I'm back," Sunday night.

The Patriots acquired CB Aqib Talib from the Bucs before today's trade deadline. Talib has been one big off-field issue, but his play on the field is often terrific. He could win a starting job on the outside in New England before the year is over. Rookie CB Alfonzo Dennard has come on lately. CB Devin McCourty has spent some time at safety. With Bill Belichick, just about anything can happen. We'll be watching the Pats' secondary to see what happens.

Both Patriots starting CBs are officially questionable for the Week 17 matchup with Buffalo. Don't believe it. Devin McCourty has played through his shoulder injury the past 4 weeks. Kyle Arrington has been listed as questionable since Week 14 but has yet to miss a game.

Patriots S Patrick Chung is inactive for the 4th straight week because of a foot injury. Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reports she was told earlier in the week that Chung would return for the Week 14 meeting with Washington. CB Devin McCourty, meanwhile, is active for today's matchup with the Colts. He missed the past 2 games after separating a shoulder.

Patriots S Patrick Chung is inactive for the 3rd straight game with a foot injury. Starting LCB Devin McCourty is also out again with his dislocated shoulder. Those 2 absences can't hurt Vince Young and the Philly passing game.

Patriots LCB Devin McCourty returned to limited practice Saturday but is doubtful for the Monday night game because of a separated shoulder. Assuming he doesn't suit up, he'll become the latest injured Patriot to return for the week's final practice before being inactive. Antwaun Molden and Philip Adams appear to be next in line to fill in against the Chiefs.

Patriots LCB Devin McCourty left the Sunday night game after a hit from his own teammate separated his right shoulder. There's no word yet on how long he might be out, though IDP owners should probably plan to miss him for at least Week 11. New England might be forced to plug Antwaun Molden back into the lineup after he fell short in his previous stint as fill-in starter. The team is already without rookie Ras-I Dowling (hip, IR) and waived veteran Leigh Bodden.

In the first 2 weeks, WRs Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson have enjoyed big receiving days against the Pats. That's leading some to question whether CB Devin McCourty's performance is slipping. According to ProFootballFocus.com, it has so far. McCourty rated 9th overall among CBs in their grading as a rookie last year, when he also made the Pro Bowl. So far this season he's tied for 73rd. That's not necessarily a bad thing for his IDP value. McCourty has been thrown at a league-high 25 times. Plus, to be fair, there aren't many tougher matchups outside in the league than Marshall and Jackson. For his part, HC Bill Belichick says of McCourty, "He’s certainly one of our best players." That means the kid ain't in danger of getting benched. The combo of being beatable and playing with the league's highest-scoring offense could mean big fantasy days ahead for McCourty.