Key Injuries in Secondary Hurt Patriots

Ty Law’s foot injury probably could not have come at a worse time for the New England Patriots.

Coach Bill Belichick confirmed Wednesday that Law will not play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, and a representative for the Pro Bowl cornerback said he would sit out four to six weeks because of a broken bone in his left foot.

That leaves New England without either of its starting cornerbacks against one of the league’s top passing attacks. Cornerback Tyrone Poole said Wednesday that, although his injured knee is healing, he would also be out against St. Louis.

Law was hurt in the first quarter of Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he did not return to the game that ended the Patriots’ 21-game winning streak.

“Ty will be out of the game,� Belichick said. “He definitely won’t play.�

Kevin Poston, the brother and business partner of Law’s agent, Carl Poston, said that a team doctor diagnosed the injury, but that Law would seek a second opinion on the broken bone across the top of his foot.

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Miami Dolphin linebacker Junior Seau will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery and could end his 15-year career.

Seau will undergo an operation today in his hometown of San Diego, and he’ll decide later whether to return in 2005.

“Of course, I will play again,� said Seau, 35, who has sat out only nine games in his career. “I’ll say that now. But that could change tomorrow.... Assessing my situation after surgery is definitely going to be something that I need to do.�

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Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Tommy Maddox said he wasn’t disappointed that rookie Ben Roethlisberger took advantage of Maddox’s long injury absence to seize the starting job.

“I don’t sweat it too much,� Maddox said. “I know things happen for a reason, and we’ll figure out what that reason is. I’ll just go out there and do my job, work as hard as I can and try to help this team win any way I can.�

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Buffalo Bill cornerback Troy Vincent practiced for the first time since injuring his knee more than four weeks ago, while receiver Josh Reed sat out the workout because of a knee problem.

Vincent was limited to practicing on the scout team. Coach Mike Mularkey wouldn’t say whether Vincent will be able to play Sunday. Although Reed is listed as questionable, Mularkey didn’t seem optimistic about his status for Sunday.

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Running back Jamal Robertson was waived by the San Francisco 49ers, clearing the way for Maurice Hicks to become Kevan Barlow’s backup.

Robertson had 71 yards and one touchdown as the 49ers’ second-leading rusher this season but made two key fumbles in losses for the 49ers (1-6).