GLENDALE, Ariz. — Though he was added to the active roster this week, Cole Strange won’t return to the Patriots lineup in Arizona.

The 2022 first-rounder is inactive for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Cardinals. It’s been an arduous recovery from a torn patellar tendon for Strange, and Wednesday was the first time he participated in a padded practice since suffering the knee injury last December. The team needed to add him to the 53-man roster this week, or else he would have been lost to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

“I would say (Strange’s practice) was good, but at the same time, we have to recognize he hasn’t been out there in pads much at all,” Jerod Mayo said Wednesday. “Hopefully it’s the growth after that day that we want to see.”

Marte Mapu is a healthy scratch once again, as the 2023 third-rounder has been jumped by undrafted free agent Dell Pettus on the safety depth chart. There were no surprises beyond that on New England’s inactive list, as Tyrese Robinson is a healthy scratch, Javon Baker had already been ruled out with a concussion, and Joe Milton III will once again serve as the emergency third quarterback.

With the team prioritizing larger roles for young players down the stretch, Mayo was asked whether Milton might be elevated to the backup quarterback spot.

“As it stands today, I still see Jacoby (Brissett) in that role,” Mayo said on Friday. “Again, who knows what happens, and I reserve the right to change my mind on these things. As of today, Jacoby is still our number two quarterback.”