LIVE: Danny Shelton returns; Adrian Clayborn inactive for Patriots

FOXBORO – Danny Shelton returned to the lineup for the Patriots on Sunday, but it came at another veteran’s expense.

Shelton was a healthy scratch for three games in a row, which was a first in his career. In those games, the Patriots were horrid against the run allowing 6.3 yards per carry against Pittsburgh, 9.0 against Miami and 7.3 against Minnesota.

With the defensive tackle back in the lineup, Adrian Clayborn takes his place as the surprise inactive. [...]

FOXBORO – Danny Shelton returned to the lineup for the Patriots on Sunday, but it came at another veteran’s expense.

Shelton was a healthy scratch for three games in a row, which was a first in his career. In those games, the Patriots were horrid against the run allowing 6.3 yards per carry against Pittsburgh, 9.0 against Miami and 7.3 against Minnesota.

With the defensive tackle back in the lineup, Adrian Clayborn takes his place as the surprise inactive. Clayborn has appeared in all 14 games for the Patriots this season. He has 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits, which ranks him second on the team.

Also inactive for the Patriots is Derek Rivers, Obi Melifonwu, Brandon King (knee), James Ferentz, Duke Dawson and Keionta Davis. Dawson still hasn’t appeared in a game this season. He’s in danger of becoming the first second-round pick, under Bill Belichick, to not appear in a game his rookie season despite being on the active roster.

In a minor surprise, Ufomba Kamalu is active and will make his Patriots debut. The 6-foot-6 295-pound defensive lineman was promoted from the practice squad to the Patriots 53-man roster. He replaced Josh Gordon on the active roster.

Kamalu has three career sacks, in 13 games, spread over two years with the Houston Texans.

Josh Gordon reportedly eluded Patriots security

The Patriots went through several measures to try to keep Josh Gordon away from temptation.

In the end, it still didn’t work.

According to ESPN, the Patriots had an elaborate security plan to try to help Gordon, who’s had a history of substance abuse issues. The team had people assigned to be with the receiver at all times so he could avoid temptations and adhere to the NFL’s reinstatement policy. In the end, however, Gordon was still able to elude the Patriots security team.

According to the report, Gordon was able to get by the security detail during the team’s bye weekend on Nov. 18.

Last week, Gordon was suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of his reinstatement under the NFL’s substance abuse policy. According to the NFL Network, it wasn’t just one violation, either.

Ian Rapoport reported that Gordon was suspended "for multiple violations" of the league’s substance abuse policy and it was more than just marijuana.

Gordon put out a statement last week that said he's stepping away from the game of football to focus on his mental health. The NFL Network reported that Gordon would have to show he could stay clean for a “sustained period of time” before he’s able to play in the NFL again. It’s possible that the receiver could be back for the start of the 2019 NFL season, but nothing is guaranteed.

At this point, Gordon’s future is in his hands.

Welcome to Gillette Stadium

Welcome to Gillette Stadium where the Patriots will take on the Buffalo Bills in their Week 16 matchup.

The Patriots are suddenly in must-win territory. They need one victory to win the AFC East and clinch a spot in the playoffs. There’s still a scenario, however, where they could miss the postseason. If the Pats lose the next two games and the Miami wins the next two, the Dolphins will win the division. In that case, the Patriots could be out of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Coming off two losses, the Patriots need to right the ship. With the team losing Josh Gordon, who is suspended indefinitely, it bears watching how the offense looks today against a tough Bills defense.

 The Patriots didn’t make a roster move to add another receiver. Instead, the team promoted defensive lineman Ufomba Kamalu from the practice squad to take Gordon’s roster spot. That leaves Tom Brady working with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson at the receiver position.

If anything, the Patriots are healthy, so there’s that. Over the last three weeks, the hits keep coming for the Pats. We’ll see if they can finally staunch the bleeding.