Watson placed on IR

FOXBOROUGH -- Tight end Benjamin Watson's season was doomed from the outset.

Not only did Watson hold out of training camp and part ways with agent Tom Condon, who wanted him to hold firm on his wish for a five-year rookie contract rather than the six-year deal he ultimately signed, but now Watson's season is over after the team placed him on injured reserve yesterday with a knee ailment.

Watson, the Patriots' second first-round selection (32d overall), out of Georgia, was replaced on the roster by former Dolphins tight end Jed Weaver. It is not known whether Weaver will be active for Sunday's game in Buffalo. The Patriots have Daniel Graham and Christian Fauria 1-2 on their tight end depth chart.

"During preparation for the Arizona game, Benjamin Watson experienced discomfort in his knee and did not play in the game," the team said in a statement. "After further evaluation, the medical staff has determined that the proper course of action is for Benjamin to have surgery and to be placed on injured reserve."

Watson caught 10 passes in exhibition games to lead Patriot receivers and started in the opener against Indianapolis, in which he presumably injured the knee.

Weaver, 28, is a six-year veteran who has played in 80 games with 37 starts for the Eagles, Dolphins, and 49ers. The University of Oregon product did not miss a game in his first five seasons, and his career numbers include 80 catches for 997 yards and six touchdowns. He had his best season last year in San Francisco, catching 35 passes for 437 yards and a touchdown while starting all 16 games. Weaver, who will wear No. 85, spent three seasons in Miami.

Shaping up One positive aspect of the bye week coming so early was Kevin Faulk has had time to get back into shape. Whether Faulk will be active for Sunday's game will depend on what he shows in practice the rest of the week, but it appears his left knee, which he injured in the exhibition season at about the same time he was tending to his family matters in Louisiana, is close to full strength.

"Being out so long, you tend to lose your conditioning," Faulk said. "My main focus right now is my conditioning so I can go back out there and perform."

Faulk doesn't believe it'll be difficult to integrate back into the offense, knowing he's not going to take much playing time away from Corey Dillon. Faulk will likely be used as a change-of-pace back who can spell Dillon for a play or two.

Doubt raised Deion Branch is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game. Branch injured his knee right before the end of the first half against Arizona, and coach Bill Belichick said after the game that Branch could have played in the second half but the team elected to hold him back. A week of inactivity has led to a downgrading of Branch's condition, which can't be a good sign . . . Asked whether Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe would have been more productive in a different era, Belichick said, "Drew? Look at his production. How many thousands of yards has the guy thrown for?" When told that was then, Belichick said, "What do you mean then? He has thrown for 550 yards against us the last two times we have played them in Buffalo. It looks like he is throwing pretty good to me."