Uche was a healthy scratch on Sunday against the New York Jets.
Pass rusher Joshua Uche was a surprise inactive in the New England Patriots’ 25-22 win over the New York Jets on Sunday — a noticeable development with the NFL trade deadline just over one week away.
Uche was not listed on the Patriots injury report during the week, making him a healthy inactive.
“It was just a healthy scratch and we also to put the best team out there that gives us the best chance to win,” head coach Jerod Mayo explained Monday morning of Uche’s status.
After already being part of trade talks last season, Uche signed a team friendly one-year contract to remain in New England in free agency. Now sitting at 2-6 on the year, the Patriots are among the teams willing to trade players for future assists.
Due to the nature of Uche’s contract, contending teams will likely be interested in the pass rusher — making him once again viewed as the Patriots most likely trade candidate by the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
The 26-year-old has seen his level of playing time steadily decrease in recent weeks. Before hitting the inactive list, Uche had not played more than 20 defensive snaps in each of the last two weeks. During that timeframe, he generated just one pressure.
In total, Uche has played just over 30 percent of New England’s defensive snaps this season while generating 13 pressures, two quarterback hits, to go with a pair of sacks.
With Uche sidelined on Sunday, fellow outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings played a season-high 60 defensive snaps (97%).