Patriots RB Ridley inactive vs. Texans

New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is not active for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

Ridley has fumbled in three straight games. He was benched after fumbling in the first quarter of last Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. His backup, LeGarrette Blount, was also taken out of the game after a fumble.

Brandon Bolden and Shane Vereen shared the running load after Ridley and Blount were removed. Vereen has at least seven receptions in each game he played this season.

Ridley has had problems fumbling the ball since his rookie season in 2011. The former third-round draft pick has coughed the ball up nine times -- six of the fumbles were lost -- in 42 regular-season games.