New England Patriots Strategy and Personnel

The Patriots won't be making any wholesale changes at this point, but they did make two minor additions to the practice squad by signing QB Jeff Rowe and WR Darnell Jenkins.

Rowe isn't here to do much other than perhaps provide some looks for the scout team. Although Tom Brady's wife gave birth to the couple's first child and Brady's second this week, don't expect the quarterback to miss any time in practice or at the game this weekend.

Jenkins' role is uncertain. He spent some time on the practice squad with Cleveland and Tampa Bay, but doesn't have any noticeable experience to fall back on. Again, he might be a scout team contributor this week as the team prepares for an unfamiliar opponent.

As far as roster changes are concerned, the Patriots simply need more help from their regular contributors, not a major shakeup. They've reached the point in the season where it's too late to do anything that would require addition learning and adjustments.



PLAYER NOTES

--DB Bret Lockett was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury Dec. 9. Lockett had played in 10 games this season, mostly on special teams where he tallied five tackles.

--DT Titus Adams was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster Dec. 9. The 6-4, 305-pounder had spent the first 13 weeks of 2009 and all of 2008 on the New England practice squad.

--QB Jeff Rowe was signed to the practice squad Dec. 9. The 6-5, 221-pound former Nevada star originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick by the Bengals in 2007 and spent time with Cincinnati and Seattle over the last two-plus seasons.

--WR Darnell Jenkins was also added to the practice squad Dec. 9. The 5-10, 191-pounder originally entered the NFL out of Miami as an undrafted free agent in Houston in 2008. He spent the bulk of his rookie season on the team's practice squad, but joined the active roster for the final two games. He spent time on the practice squads in Houston and Cleveland earlier this season.

--QB Tom Brady did not practice Wednesday due to what is being reported as in injured finger, though he is expected to play Sunday against Carolina. Brady also welcomed the birth of his second son this week.

--DL Myron Pryor missed Wednesday's practice with a chest injury suffered in Sunday's loss at Miami. There's no word yet on whether he'll play Sunday, but it doesn't appear he'll be ready in time.

--LB Tully Banta-Cain is suffering from a shoulder injury and participated in a limited amount of Wednesday's practice. He should be available Sunday barring any setbacks.

--RB Fred Taylor did not practice Wednesday as he continues to battle back from midseason ankle surgery. Taylor appears close to playing, but there's no word on whether this is the week he returns.

--G Stephen Neal is back on the practice field in a limited capacity despite a head injury suffered three weeks ago. Neal could return Sunday.

GAME PLAN: The Panthers have been horrible in the passing game this season, so this is another game in which the Patriots should be able to take advantage considering it'll be played in their own backyard.

The only true constant for this year's team has been its ability to dominate inferior competition at Gillette Stadium. The defensive backs have been lit up in recent weeks, but there shouldn't be too many problems if the Patriots can stop the run and force Carolina into long situations on second and third down.

With lousy weather set to creep in, this could be the kind of game where the Patriots grind it out on the ground, especially with Tom Brady suffering a slight finger injury. Whether or not that impacts his performance remains to be seen, but it wouldn't hurt to establish the run to take some pressure off him.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo. Williams' touchdowns are down a bit, but he's still a productive runner who likely will be the focal point of Carolina's offense Sunday considering their problems in the passing game. The Patriots' defense holds the key to this game; stop the run and the rest will follow.

Panthers FB Brad Hoover vs. Patriots LB Tully Banta-Cain. Over the past few weeks, it's become clear Banta-Cain is the Patriots' best pass-rusher. Hoover may be asked to help keep the pocket clean if and when Banta-Cain is looking to rush. The Patriots haven't had much of a pass rush outside of Banta-Cain, so this inevitably will become a major part of how the game turns out.

Patriots CB Jonathan Wilhite vs. Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad. This has been a down year for the Panthers' passing game in general, so Muhammad hasn't had much success. He's yet to catch a touchdown pass in 2009 after catching at least three in each of the last five years. The struggling Wilhite might be just what the doctor ordered for Muhammad, or perhaps this game will be a confidence-booster for the maligned cornerback.

INJURY IMPACT: Unless Tom Brady is suffering any ill effects from his reported finger injury, the Patriots shouldn't have any major concerns in the health department come Sunday afternoon. The key is running the ball, which they should have no problem doing against the struggling defense now that Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney are both healthy.