Jonathan Wilhite

The Patriots made a flurry of transactions today in anticipation of tomorrow's 4 p.m. deadline to cut the roster from 90 to 80 players. The list is highlighted by veteran safety James Sanders, who is in his seventh NFL season. Other players cut by the Patriots today include, kicker Chris Koepplin, tight end Garrett Mills, WR Darnell Jenkins, WR Tyree Barnes, cornerback Malcolm Williams, defensive lineman Kade Weston and offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite and long snapper Matt Katula The Patriots also announced the signing of wide receiver Tiquan Underwood,...

The Patriots signed free agent linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the team announced on Thursday. A first-round pick of the Cowboys out of Ohio State in 2006, the last draft class of Bill Parcells's time in Dallas, Carpenter has not lived up to his draft spot - New England is the fourth team of his career, and he's never been a full-time starter. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches, 249 pounds, Carpenter has experience in both base 3-4 and 4-3 defenses: He was in a 3-4 with the Cowboys and Dolphins, where he played for part of the 2010 season.

The Patriots signed free agent linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the team announced on Thursday. A first-round pick of the Cowboys out of Ohio State in 2006, the last draft class of Bill Parcells's time in Dallas, Carpenter has not lived up to his draft spot - New England is the fourth team of his career, and he's never been a full-time starter. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches, 249 pounds, Carpenter has experience in both base 3-4 and 4-3 defenses: He was in a 3-4 with the Cowboys and Dolphins, where he played for part of the 2010 season.

DENVER - The Patriots yesterday downgraded five players to out for today's game against the Broncos: safety Patrick Chung (foot), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), wide receiver Deion Branch (groin), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (ankle, back). It became clear that Chung would miss his sixth straight game Friday night when he attended the Celtics' scrimmage at TD Garden while the rest of his teammates were en route to Denver.

1. More beef: Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth returned to practice this week. If Bill Belichick decides to play them, it will be illuminating to see how he uses each. Will the Patriots be more of an under front with Vince Wilfork shading the nose tackle? Does Ellis have enough to play the first two downs at end, or will he just be a sub pass rusher on the inside? 2. Rookies on display: Cornerback Ras-I Dowling and running back Shane Vereen, both second-round picks, combined to practice all of 2 ½ days before returning this week.

The Patriots offensive line gained a little depth yesterday with the addition of veteran guard Brian Waters , who played 11 seasons with the Chiefs. Waters signed a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to a league source. Waters, who is 6 feet 3 inches and 320 pounds, arrives at the right time for the Patriots, who are looking for options on a line struggling with injuries. Ryan Wendell was out most of the preseason with an injury and Dan Connolly hurt his ankle in the third preseason game.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff This is by no means the opening-day, or final 53-man roster. Not with just 23 players on offense and 27 on defense. The Patriots are very thin at tight end and at guard/center. They need another one of each in waivers and free agent signings. When they make those moves, who would be out? Here's where the roster currently stands: Thoughts : The Patriots are way too light at tight end (two)

DENVER - The Patriots yesterday downgraded five players to out for today's game against the Broncos: safety Patrick Chung (foot), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), wide receiver Deion Branch (groin), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (ankle, back). It became clear that Chung would miss his sixth straight game Friday night when he attended the Celtics' scrimmage at TD Garden while the rest of his teammates were en route to Denver.

James Sanders was often credited with being the communicator and old soul among his fellow Patriots safeties. In a group lean on depth and varied in experience, Sanders seemed to fit in as a veteran leader, but yesterday the Patriots cut the seventh-year safety in a move coach Bill Belichick called a "tough" decision. Ten other players were cut yesterday, including cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, tight end Garrett Mills, long snapper Matt Katula, defensive lineman Kade Weston, receivers Tyree Barnes and Darnell Jenkins, defensive back Malcolm Williams, defensive end Clay...

FOXBOROUGH — The five moves to whittle the Patriots roster to 75 players were expected yesterday. The only surprise was one of the names on the list. Cornerback Leigh Bodden was placed on season-ending injured reserve, less than two weeks shy of starting his eighth NFL season. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, Bodden suffered a rotator cuff injury, leaving the Patriots without their most experienced corner. It is a critical loss for a defensive unit that also lost end Ty Warren for the season last month with a hip injury.

The Patriots offensive line gained a little depth yesterday with the addition of veteran guard Brian Waters , who played 11 seasons with the Chiefs. Waters signed a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to a league source. Waters, who is 6 feet 3 inches and 320 pounds, arrives at the right time for the Patriots, who are looking for options on a line struggling with injuries. Ryan Wendell was out most of the preseason with an injury and Dan Connolly hurt his ankle in the third preseason game.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff This is by no means the opening-day, or final 53-man roster. Not with just 23 players on offense and 27 on defense. The Patriots are very thin at tight end and at guard/center. They need another one of each in waivers and free agent signings. When they make those moves, who would be out? Here's where the roster currently stands: Thoughts : The Patriots are way too light at tight end (two)

James Sanders was often credited with being the communicator and old soul among his fellow Patriots safeties. In a group lean on depth and varied in experience, Sanders seemed to fit in as a veteran leader, but yesterday the Patriots cut the seventh-year safety in a move coach Bill Belichick called a "tough" decision. Ten other players were cut yesterday, including cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, tight end Garrett Mills, long snapper Matt Katula, defensive lineman Kade Weston, receivers Tyree Barnes and Darnell Jenkins, defensive back Malcolm Williams, defensive end Clay...

Power outages from Tropical Storm Irene forced the New England Patriots out of their home stadium for practice on Monday. When they return, safety James Sanders won't be with them. The Patriots released the six-year veteran, who was tied for second on the team with three interceptions last season. He was due to make a base salary of $2.8 million in 2011. "Tough release there with James Sanders," coach Bill Belichick said in a conference call. "James has been a good guy to have on this team.

The Patriots made a flurry of transactions today in anticipation of tomorrow's 4 p.m. deadline to cut the roster from 90 to 80 players. The list is highlighted by veteran safety James Sanders, who is in his seventh NFL season. Other players cut by the Patriots today include, kicker Chris Koepplin, tight end Garrett Mills, WR Darnell Jenkins, WR Tyree Barnes, cornerback Malcolm Williams, defensive lineman Kade Weston and offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite and long snapper Matt Katula The Patriots also announced the signing of...

DETROIT - As if their poor play wasn't enough of a concern, the Patriots suffered a number of injuries in last night's loss to the Lions. The most worrisome was to Wes Welker , who hurt his neck while tackling Lions rookie Ricardo Silva after his interception of Tom Brady in the second quarter. Welker did not return, though in the preseason it is tougher to assess how serious an injury is because it's unknown whether the player would have returned to a regular-season game.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis flew in an F-16 with the Air Force Thunderbirds, Ty Warren earned his college degree, Jonathan Wilhite got married, and Brandon Meriweather released a rap song. But Jermaine Cunningham hasn’t done anything exotic or notable since his rookie season with the Patriots ended. “The strangest thing I’ve done … is probably a bunch of sprints,’’ he said yesterday. The linebacker was the guest speaker at Madison Park High School for the Patriots’ Alumni Club’s “Football for You’’ camp, the second of four such events for aspiring players.

FOXBOROUGH - Putting out recycling bins in parts of Gillette Stadium is an admirable effort by the Patriots to go "green. " But the Patriots are being forced to do recycling at cornerback because some of their corners are too green. Yesterday, the team brought back veteran cornerback Jason Webster, whom it had disposed of Aug. 26 in its first round of training camp cuts. The 5-foot-9-inch, 187-pound Webster was originally signed by the Patriots in March but was released after missing nearly a month of camp with a hamstring injury.

DETROIT - Down the stretch they come. Entering tonight's third and most meaningful exhibition game against the improving Detroit Lions, the Patriots have a clear picture of their roster. Whether they'll clue us in on their plans remains to be seen. The Patriots have seven previously injured players back in the fold: possible starters Albert Haynesworth (defensive tackle), Shaun Ellis (defensive end), and James Sanders (safety); second-round picks Ras-I Dowling (cornerback)

1. More beef: Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth returned to practice this week. If Bill Belichick decides to play them, it will be illuminating to see how he uses each. Will the Patriots be more of an under front with Vince Wilfork shading the nose tackle? Does Ellis have enough to play the first two downs at end, or will he just be a sub pass rusher on the inside? 2. Rookies on display: Cornerback Ras-I Dowling and running back Shane Vereen, both second-round picks, combined to practice all of 2 ½ days before returning this week.