Patriots 1st-round pick N'Keal Harry inactive for Ravens game despite being removed from IR

New England Patriots rookie receiver N'Keal Harry is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, despite being removed from injured reserve on Saturday.The team's 2019 first-round pick made the trip to M&T Bank Stadium but, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, he went through a pregame workout that usually indicates which players will be inactive. Harry was placed on IR Sept. 2 before the start of the regular season, which meant he was forced to miss the team's first eight games of the 2019 campaign. The Patriots did not designate an injury for Harry when they placed him on injured reserve. Reiss reports the 21-year-old got hurt in an Aug. 6 joint practice with the Detroit Lions but played two days later in the preseason opener, in which Harry hobbled off the field after making two catches.Harry returned to practice Oct. 15, which is permitted by NFL rules. The team had to activate him by 4 p.m. Saturday for him to be eligible for this week's game against the Ravens.New England drafted the 6-foot-4, 225 pound receiver with the 32nd overall pick out of Arizona State University. In college, he caught 213 passes for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns in 37 games. He was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference first team in 2018.Harry is the highest-drafted wide receiver by the Patriots in the Bill Belichick era and has the ability to return punts. He returned nine punts for 152 yards and one touchdown in his final collegiate season, landing on the Pac-12 All-Conference second team as a return specialist.Matt LaCosse, who has started three games at tight end this season, will miss his third straight game with a knee injury.Rookie wide receiver Gunner Olzewski, who is New England's primary punt returner, was also listed as inactive with injuries to his ankle and hamstring.Offensive lineman Korey Cunningham, cornerback Joejuan Williams, running back Damien Harris and quarterback Cody Kessler were also on the Patriots' inactive list.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

New England Patriots rookie receiver N'Keal Harry is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, despite being removed from injured reserve on Saturday.

The team's 2019 first-round pick made the trip to M&T Bank Stadium but, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, he went through a pregame workout that usually indicates which players will be inactive.

Harry was placed on IR Sept. 2 before the start of the regular season, which meant he was forced to miss the team's first eight games of the 2019 campaign.

The Patriots did not designate an injury for Harry when they placed him on injured reserve.

Reiss reports the 21-year-old got hurt in an Aug. 6 joint practice with the Detroit Lions but played two days later in the preseason opener, in which Harry hobbled off the field after making two catches.

Harry returned to practice Oct. 15, which is permitted by NFL rules. The team had to activate him by 4 p.m. Saturday for him to be eligible for this week's game against the Ravens.

One question that might be asked, 'Why promote N'Keal Harry to the 53-man roster if he would be inactive for game?'

One line of thinking is giving him eased entry into mix, get him on a road trip, into routine, then build from there. Can be challenge to hop on fast-moving train

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 3, 2019

New England drafted the 6-foot-4, 225 pound receiver with the 32nd overall pick out of Arizona State University.

In college, he caught 213 passes for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns in 37 games. He was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference first team in 2018.

Harry is the highest-drafted wide receiver by the Patriots in the Bill Belichick era and has the ability to return punts. He returned nine punts for 152 yards and one touchdown in his final collegiate season, landing on the Pac-12 All-Conference second team as a return specialist.

Matt LaCosse, who has started three games at tight end this season, will miss his third straight game with a knee injury.

Rookie wide receiver Gunner Olzewski, who is New England's primary punt returner, was also listed as inactive with injuries to his ankle and hamstring.

Offensive lineman Korey Cunningham, cornerback Joejuan Williams, running back Damien Harris and quarterback Cody Kessler were also on the Patriots' inactive list.