Colts Inactives
Daniel Adongo LB
Deion Branch WR
Darrius Heyward-Bey WR
Khaled Holmes C
Josh Lenz WR
Sheldon Price CB
Joe Reitz G

Unexpected twist to Patriots-Colts matchup, as Colts sign longtime Patriots WR Deion Branch today.

Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston had the following to say about the Patriot WRs:

Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and rookies Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce will make up the Patriot receivers this year. If things continue on their current course -- and that remains an "if" at this point because everyone still expects some rocky moments and adversity along the way -- the Patriots should be faster, bigger, smarter, deeper, tougher and more explosive than they were last year.

To get to that point, the Patriots went the tear-down-and-rebuild route, with each decision on last year's top receivers (Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch) having its own unique dynamic. What has resulted for the 2013 corps is a higher upside. But also still an element of the unknown.

It seems the tune has changed a bit from before camp and the whole Aaron Hernandez mess. The Pats have looked good in joint practices and the first preseason game against the Eagles, but the Eagles defense likely isn't going to be very good. Still, guys like Dobson and Thompkins are now on the fantasy radar map.

Donte’ Stallworth’s return to the Patriots, at least this stint, will be for just one game. The receiver was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an ankle injury, presumably suffered during Monday night’s 42-14 win over the Texans, a game in which Stallworth caught one pass, a 63-yarder for a touchdown.

With Stallworth now unavailable, it makes room on the roster for receiver Deion Branch, who will return to the Patriots this week, according to a league source. Branch has nine catches in seven games this season, but he was released last month after suffering a hamstring injury.

WR Deion Branch is coming back to New England.

Branch will take the place of Donte Stallworth, who was placed on IR with a high ankle sprain.

The Patriots released 33-year-old WR Deion Branch in order to make room for CB Aqib Talib and WR Greg Salas on their active roster. Branch was released in preseason but re-signed prior to Week 3. He caught just nine passes for 80 yards in seven games.

New England also waived DB Malcolm Williams.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (hamstring, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 11. Julian Edelman could see a few extra snaps if Branch sits.

Patriots WR Brandon Lloyd (knee) took limited practice reps again Thursday. Lloyd is not getting enough targets to be a solid fantasy option, but Deion Branch (hamstring) was added to the injury report Thursday after taking limited practice reps, which may give Lloyd a boost.

In a change-up from past weeks, receiver Brandon Lloyd was taken off in a three-receiver package with Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Julian Edelman.

Lloyd did have a few drops but still played in more snaps than any other WR. He had 68 to Welker's 64. Branch had 26 while Edelman had 7.