The Patriots have placed CB Leigh Bodden, S Bret Lockett, S Josh Barrett and DE Darryl Richard on the Injured Reserve List ending their seasons.  Leigh Bodden is the only big loss of this bunch.  He played in 15 games (14 starts) for the Patriots last season and he had 55 tackles, he forced a fumble, defensed 18 passes and he had 5 interceptions (one of which he returned for a TD).  Bret Lockett played in 10 games as a rookie last season for the Patriots and he had 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble.  Josh Barrett was just claimed off waivers from the Broncos a couple of weeks ago despite him needing shoulder surgery.  He played in 14 games for the Broncos last season and he had 10 tackles.  DE Darryl Richard didn’t play in any games as a rookie for the Patriots last year.  He had 4 tackles this pre-season for the Patriots. 

The Patriots have acquired 26-year old G/T Quinn Ojinnaka from the Atlanta Falcons for a undisclosed future draft pick.  He played in 9 games (5 starts) last season for the Falcons.  He has now played in 39 games (12 starts) in his four years in the NFL.  Ojinnaka has been suspended for the first game of the year by the NFL due to domestic battery.  This was likely a good deal for the Patriots due to the status of the offensive line right now.

31-year old G/T Nick Kaczur of the Patriots has underwent back surgery to repair a bulging disk putting his 2010 season in jeopardy.  He played in 14 games (13 starts) for the Patriots last season and they had him penciled in to start at LG in the place of Logan Mankins who is holding out.  This is a big blow to the Patriots who are seeing their O-Line starting  to crumble for 2010.

The Patriots have placed WR Torry Holt on the Injured Reserve List with a knee injury ending his 2010 season before it even began.  He didn’t catch any passes in the pre-season opener for the Patriots.  The Patriots will likely depend on Julian Edelman as the #3 WR with his main competition out of action. 

UPDATE:  (8/20/2010) - The Patriots have bought out Holt with a injury settlement making him a free agent.

The Patriots have signed G/C Darnell Stapleton and CB DeAngelo Willingham.  The 24-year old Stapleton last played in the NFL in 2008 with the Steelers.  He has played in 14 games (12 starts) in his NFL career and he has nice size at 6′3″, 305 pounds.  The Patriots need help at guard right now so I like this signing for them.  23-year old DeAngelo Willingham will provide help on special teams and depth in the secondary if he makes the team.

UPDATE:  (8/11/2010) - The Patriots have released Darnell Stapleton already.