Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes headline early game NFL inactive lists

As expected, the New England Patriots will be without tight end Rob Gronkowski on Sunday. Also inactive for the Patriots is linebacker Brandon Spikes, who is second on the team with 92 tackles and is tied for the team lead with five forced fumbles this season.

Staying in the AFC East, the New York Jets will start Greg McElroy at quarterback against the San Diego Chargers and avoided the question of who the No. 2 quarterback is by dressing both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.

Other key inactive players - who were not already ruled out by their teams - include Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright and middle linebacker Colin McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison, Indianapolis Colts right tackle Winston Justice and Washington Redskins right tackle Tyler Polumbus.

Oakland Raiders at Carolina Panthers

Oakland: RB Jeremy Stewart, WR Juron Criner, OT Willie Smith, G Lucas Nix, DT Richard Seymour, DE Dave Tollefson, LB Rolando McClain

Carolina: QB Jimmy Clausen, RB Jonathan Stewart, WR David Gettis, G Hayworth Hicks, C Geoff Hangartner, DT Sione Fua, LB James Anderson

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

New Orleans: RB Chris Ivory, FB Jed Collins, WR Saalim Hakim, G Ricky Henry, DT Tyrunn Walker, DE Turk McBride, LB Scott Shanle

Dallas: OT Darrius Weems, G Ronald Leary, G David Arkin, C/G Kevin Kowalski, NT Jay Ratliff, DL Rob Callaway, LB Kyle Wilber,

Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers

Tennessee: QB Rusty Smith, WR Kendall Wright, OT Mike Otto, OC Kevin Matthews, DE Scott Solomon, LB Colin McCarthy, CB Ryan Mouton

Green Bay: RB James Starks, RB Alex Green, WR Jordy Nelson, TE Tom Crabtree, DE Jerel Worthy, DE C.J. Wilson, S Charles Woodson

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

Minnesota: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Stephen Burton, OT Troy Kropog, DE Brian Robison, DE D'Aundre Reed, LB Audie Cole, CB Brandon Burton

Houston: OT Andrew Gardner, G Antoine Caldwell, C/G Cody White, NT Terrell McClain, CB Stanford Routt, CB Alan Ball, S Quintin Demps

New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars

New England: RB James Develin, TE Rob Gronkowski, OT Markus Zusevics, DT Ron Brace, DE Jake Bequette, LB Brandon Spikes, CB Alfonzo Dennard

Jacksonville: RB Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Rashad Jennings, RB Jonathan Grimes, G Eben Britton, DE Austen Lane, LB Brandon Marshall, CB Antwaun Molden

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs

Indianapolis: RB Delone Carter, WR Nathan Palmer, OT Winston Justice, OC Samson Satele, NT Antonio Johnson, LB Kavell Conner, S Tom Zbikowski

Kansas City: QB Ricky Stanzi, RB Nate Eachus, WR Steve Breaston, TE Tony Moeaki, G Ross Hochstein, NT Anthony Toribio, S Abram Elam

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Buffalo: QB Tarvaris Jackson, WR Marcus Easley, OT Chris Scott, G Keith Williams, DT Jay Ross, DE Mark Anderson, LB Chris White

Miami: QB Pat Devlin, WR Davone Bess, TE Kyle Miller, T Patrick Brown, DT Kheeston Randall, LB Koa Misi, CB Nolan Carroll

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets

San Diego: RB Edwin Baker, WR Mike Willie, TE Lardarius Green, G Stephen Schilling, NT Aubrayo Franklin, LB Demorrio Williams, LB Jonas Mouton

NY Jets: WR Mardy Gilyard, TE Dustin Keller, G Caleb Schlauderaff, DT Damon Harrison, LB Ricky Sapp, CB Donnie Fletcher, CB Aaron Berry

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles

Washington: QB Rex Grossman, WR Brandon Banks, WR Dez Briscoe, OT Tyler Polumbus, G Adam Gettis, LB Vic So'to, LB Roddrick Muckerlroy

Philadelphia: QB Michael Vick, RB Chris Polk, FB Stanley Havili, WR Greg Salas, OT Matt Kopa, G Danny Watkins, DE Darryl Tapp

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Cincinnati: RB Dan Herron, TE Richard Quinn, DT Devon Still, DT Brandon Thompson, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, S George Iloka, K Mike Nugent

Pittsburgh: QB Byron Leftwich, WR Plaxico Burress, OT Mike Adams, DE Al Woods, LB Adrien Robinson, CB Justin King, CB Ike Taylor

St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

St. Louis: QB Austin Davis, RB Terrance Ganaway, WR Steve Smith, TE Cory Harkey, OT Joe Barksdale, DT Matt Conrath, LB Sammy Brown

Tampa Bay: RB Michael Smih, WR Chris Owusu, WR David Douglas, G Roger Allen, DT Corvey Irvin, DT Matthew Masifilo, CB LeQuan Lewis