Kyle Van Noy, Demaryius Thomas among 7 Patriots inactive for season-opener vs. Steelers

The Patriots will be without one of their key defensive weapons in the season-opener.

Kyle Van Noy, Demaryius Thomas, Damien Harris, Byron Cowart, Joejuan Williams, Obi Melifonwu and Korey Cunningham are the players listed as inactive for the New England Patriots' season-opener Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, per the team. 

#Patriots inactives for #PITvsNE. pic.twitter.com/FeL35NBzvG

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 8, 2019

After the inactives were made public it was reported that Van Noy is inactive for the season-opener because his wife is in labor, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. 

#Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy is inactive tonight because his wife is in labor, source says. The team knew from early today this was a possibility.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 8, 2019