FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Oct. 27, 2005) -- Cornerback Tyrone Poole was placed on injured reserve by New England, leaving a roster vacancy for its game against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 30 that could be filled by linebacker Tedy Bruschi.
Bruschi began practicing last week eight months after suffering a mild stroke. New England must settle on its 53-man roster for the Week 8 game by 4 p.m. Oct. 29.
Before Bruschi practiced Oct. 27 for the third time this week, coach Bill Belichick said he hadn't suffered any setbacks.
"He's done what we've asked him to do. I don't think that he's had any problem with it," Belichick said. "A decision on when he will play will be made when "we're sure it's going to be the right decision."
Poole, the fourth Patriots defensive back placed on the season-ending injured reserve list, stretched with his teammates at the start of practice Oct. 26 but wasn't on the field early in the Oct. 27 session.
He hasn't played since injuring his ankle in the season opener against Oakland. Last season he started four of the first five games at right cornerback but played in only one after that before going on injured reserve Dec. 17.
That followed a strong first season with the Patriots when he started all 19 games, including the playoffs, and tied for the team lead with six interceptions. Poole, 33, played with Carolina, Indianapolis and Denver before signing as an unrestricted free agent March 11, 2003.
