Wilfork, Watson are out

VINCE WILFORK Out for second straight game (FILE/JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- If the Patriots are going to slow down the Jacksonville Jaguars' second-rated rushing attack (163.1 yards per game), they're going to have to do it without Vince Wilfork.

The nose tackle, who is nursing a right ankle injury, has been downgraded to out for today's game against the Jaguars, along with tight end Benjamin Watson and right tackle Ryan O'Callaghan.

Wilfork and Watson (left knee) were both injured during the Patriots' 21-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins Dec. 10 and will miss their second straight game. O'Callaghan (neck ) will be inactive for the fourth straight game.

The status of running back Laurence Maroney and safety Rodney Harrison remained unchanged. Both are listed as questionable and appear to be on track to play. Maroney has missed the last two games with a rib injury, and Harrison, who broke his right scapula in a 27-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Nov. 5, has missed the last six games. This week, Harrison went through a full week of practice for the first time since suffering the injury.

The Patriots tweaked their roster, promoting receiver Bam Childress off the practice squad.

Childress opened the season on the team's 53-man roster and appeared in the season-opening win over the Bills. He was held without a catch in that game, and was then waived and re-signed to the practice squad, where he has spent the remainder of the season.

He now fills the final spot on the team's active roster, which had been vacant since the Patriots released safety Guss Scott Tuesday. The 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound Childress adds a sixth receiver to the mix, as he joins Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, Jabar Gaffney, Kelvin Kight, and Chad Jackson.

Childress, 24, also adds depth on kickoff and punt returns, which the Patriots might need if running backs Kevin Faulk (knee) and Maroney don't play or are limited because of injuries .

Signed as a rookie free agent in July 2005, Childress was active for one game last year, the season finale, in which he made three catches for 32 yards and also played cornerback.

Childress was the Patriots' practice player of the week for the days leading up to the team's 40-7 win over the Texans last Sunday. That honor is given to the player who best prepares the team for a victory.

Today's game in Jacksonville allowed Caldwell to see his brother, Andre, for the first time since the NFL season began. Andre, a junior receiver for the University of Florida, has 55 receptions this season in helping lead the Gators to the national championship game against Ohio State. He's scheduled to attend today's game.

"It's been awhile," said the Patriots' Caldwell, who leads New England with 53 catches. "We talk every other day, and have a real good relationship. But since I came up here, and he's in college, we really don't get to see each other."

Florida is currently preparing for the national championship game. "I'm excited for him," said the elder Caldwell, who also attended Florida. "I never got an opportunity to play for a national championship. They have a talented young group of guys who can make plays, and a great head coach. I think they can do it."

Rookie Willie Andrews enters today's game tied with Artrell Hawkins as the Patriots' leader in special-teams tackles, with 13 . . . Today's game marks the seventh meeting between the Patriots and Jaguars, with the Patriots holding a 5-1 edge (including playoffs). The Jaguars' lone victory came Jan. 3, 1999, a 25-10 decision in the playoffs . . . Corey Dillon needs 93 rushing yards to pass O.J. Simpson to move into 14th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Dillon enters today's game with 11,144 yards . . . Temperatures are expected to be in the low 70s today . . . Walt Anderson is scheduled to be the referee. His crew has the highest percentage of replay reversals (9 in 13 challenges) in the NFL.