DENVER -- Fourth-year New England Patriots wide receiver Keshawn Martin is active for the first time since injuring his hamstring Oct. 18 against the Colts, and his return comes at a time when the club is without two of its top three players at the position, Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee).
Martin has played in three games this season for the club since he was acquired in a trade with the Texans on Sept. 17. He has six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, with quarterback Tom Brady mentioning him as a key player in the wake of Edelman's injury on Nov. 15.
Martin, who has missed the last five games, joins Brandon LaFell and undrafted rookie Chris Harper as the team's healthy pure receivers on the 46-man game-day roster for Sunday night's game against the Denver Broncos.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are dressing eight offensive linemen, one more than the norm. With three tight ends also active (Rob Gronkowski, Scott Chandler, Asante Cleveland), the team is going heavy at the line of scrimmage.
Safety Patrick Chung, who was added to the injury report Sunday (foot/questionable), passed his pregame test and is active.
The Patriots' inactive players are safety Jordan Richards, defensive end Trey Flowers, cornerback Justin Coleman, tight end Michael Williams, linebacker Jamie Collins and receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola.
The Broncos' inactive players are quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Peyton Manning, receiver Jordan Norwood, cornerback Lorenzo Doss, center Sam Brenner, tight end Richard Gordon, and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
