Some quick-hit thoughts on the five players downgraded to out by the Patriots:

1. The name that jumped off the list is rookie offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer. This marks the second straight week in which he is out. Vollmer sustained a head injury against the Jets on Nov. 22 and returned to action in that game. In the prior meeting between the Patriots and Dolphins, Vollmer helped keep Joey Porter off the stat sheet. That responsibility will now fall to veteran Matt Light, who rotated with Mark LeVoir last week in his first return to action since suffering a right knee injury Oct. 11.

2. Rookie receiver Julian Edelman is also out after serving as the third quarterback and not playing in Monday's loss to the Saints. Edelman played through a forearm injury two weeks ago against the Jets -- and came up with some key plays -- but it appears as if he has either experienced a setback or is simply not completely recovered.

3. Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs will be inactive for the fourth straight game. He has a knee injury but was a full participant in practices throughout the week, so it's not clear if the deactivation is injury related. With starting cornerback Jonathan Wilhite struggling, this narrows the options to potentially start in his place, with rookie Darius Butler the top candidate.

4. Veteran running back Fred Taylor (right ankle) will miss his eighth straight game, which was expected. Taylor returned to practice for the first time Friday. If the Patriots plan to spread the field like they did last time against the Dolphins -- they ran 37 snaps with three or more receivers -- this could be a big Kevin Faulk game.

5. With safety Bret Lockett (groin) out, the Patriots lose one of their core special teams players. First-year cornerback Kyle Arrington is a candidate to fill some of those duties.