Wilson lost for season

Wilson, a second-round draft choice in 2003, injured his hamstring Sept. 24 against the Broncos, missed the next two games, then reinjured himself Oct. 22 at Buffalo while playing on the punt-return unit. Nine-year veteran Artrell Hawkins has started in Wilson's place.

The Patriots have also been without their other opening-day starter at safety, Rodney Harrison, for the last four games. Second-year player James Sanders has started the last three games in place of Harrison, who still hopes to return this season from a broken scapula .

There are now nine defensive backs on the roster: cornerbacks Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, Chad Scott, and Mickens, and safeties Harrison, Hawkins, Sanders, Rashad Baker, and rookie Willie Andrews. Scott and Andrews have the flexibility to play both cornerback and safety.

The secondary has been helped by Brown, who saw his most extended defensive action Nov. 19 at Green Bay and Nov. 26 vs. Chicago.

But not to be overlooked is how the signing of Mickens figures to limit Brown's time at cornerback, as the 5-foot-8-inch, 180-pound Mickens is considered primarily a nickel back, which is the spot Brown has been playing.

In Sunday's 28-21 victory over the Lions, however, Brown was on the field for all but two of the Patriots' 63 offensive snaps (including a fourth-quarter 2-point conversion), a sign of what could be an increasing role on that side of the ball. The Patriots likely couldn't expect him to handle such a load in the future if they needed him on defense.

Brown is fourth on the team with 32 catches, and now appears to be the team's No. 2 receiving option next to Reche Caldwell (46 catches). Brown and Caldwell are backed up by Jabar Gaffney and Doug Gabriel, while rookie Chad Jackson injured his groin last week and missed Sunday's game.