5 Patriots Most Likely to Be Inactive vs. Cowboys in Week 4

4. Will Grier

Will Grier is sure to get a lot more attention this week than third-string quarterbacks usually receive. That’s because he, like running back Ezekiel Elliott, is facing his former team.

Grier spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Dallas as QB3 but was never needed for any actual live-game reps. He then entered training camp this year looking primed to take on his same role again, but the Cowboys’ trade for Trey Lance suddenly squeezed him out.

The West Virginia product then signed with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, but the Patriots poached him by adding him to their 53-man roster recently.

Dallas’ coaching staff already believes Bill Belichick has gathered some inside intel on their operation from Grier, but who can blame the coach or QB? Belichick should exhaust every option available to help his team win, and Grier will likely be more than happy to help in order to gain favor in New England.

Providing a scouting report on his ex-team may be Grier’s biggest chance to contribute this week, though. He’ll be inactive behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, but thanks to the NFL’s new third QB rule, he can suit up and play if both are injured or ejected from the contest. That’d certainly make for one dramatic moment if that scenario does play out on Sunday