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Personnel follow-up
It was a busy day on the personnel front for the Patriots, so let’s re-set the positions affected by today’s moves:
* With rookie running back Laurence Maroney downgraded to out for Sunday’s game, the Patriots have Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk, Patrick Pass and Heath Evans at the position. The expectation is that all four backs will carry the ball, with Dillon leading the way.
* With rookie receiver Chad Jackson out and first-year receiver Kelvin Kight being promoted from the practice squad, the team has Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Doug Gabriel, Jabar Gaffney and Kight at the position.
* With rookie offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan out, the team has starters Matt Light (left) and Nick Kaczur (right) ready for action, with Wesley Britt the third option.
* With inside linebacker Don Davis being placed on injured reserve and fellow inside linebacker Eric Alexander out for Sunday’s game, the Patriots lose two of their top backups behind Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau. Assuming the team stays in a 3-4 alignment, that means 11-year veteran Larry Izzo and rookie Corey Mays are now the top backups on the roster.
* With safety Rashad Baker out, the Patriots lose a player whose primary contributions have come on special teams. Baker was also playing gunner on punts. Cornerback Antwain Spann, who was promoted from the practice squad, is a candidate to fill that role.
* With offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski released, the Patriots go back to having eight linemen on their active roster. Mruczkowski was a second backup at the center position and both guard spots, behind top backup Russ Hochstein.
PERSONNEL WRAP: With five players already downgraded to out for Sunday’s game, the Patriots still have to designate three more players as inactive. Of those three players, one is likely to be Vinny Testaverde, who has been serving as the emergency quarterback the last three weeks.
