FOXBOROUGH -- A league source has revealed that Adalius Thomas does have an elbow injury, but was adamant that Thomas was healthy enough to play and that his being inactive is a coach's decision.

Thomas practiced all week and did not show up on the injury report Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. He fully expected to play before he was informed this morning he was inactive.

The elbow injury was considered nothing serious.

Thomas missed practice time the previous week, sitting out two days with what was listed by the team as being not an injury-related absence.

The reality is that either Thomas is considered a "healthy" scratch or the Patriots may not be adhering to the NFL injury rules as they're intended.