SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (back), along with cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (groin) and rookie Ras-I Dowling (hip), will not be available to the Patriots in Oakland on Sunday. All three have been downgraded to "OUT," joining tight end Aaron Hernandez (knee), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back), and defensive lineman Mike Wright (concussion), who were officially scratched from the lineup before the team took off Friday afternoon for the West Coast.
New England must now make a game-time decision on one more player to get down to the league-mandated 46-man roster limit by kickoff tomorrow.
One potentially good sign for one player who missed last week's game in Buffalo – safety Patrick Chung (right hand) – came earlier today when the club released safety Ross Ventrone and called up offensive lineman Thomas Welch from the practice squad. With the two aforementioned corners now out, along with the backup secondary man Ventrone, odds look favorable for Chung to return, but that is by no means a guarantee. He was limited in his practice participation all week and is still officially listed as "QUESTIONABLE" for the game.
Cornerback Kyle Arrington (chest) is also still "QUESTIONABLE" with a chest injury, which means newcomers Antwaun Molden and/or Phillip Adams could make their first significant contributions as Patriots in this game. Meantime, Welch's second call-up of the season (he was on the roster for the opener at Miami) could provide much-needed depth for the o-line.
