Add Tedy Bruschi to that long list of injured Patriots on the defensive side of the ball. Bruschi, a 13-year NFL veteran and New England Patriot since 1996, exited the Pats' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the fourth play of the second quarter, injuring his knee after a collision with teammate Mike Richardson left him on the ground. The standout linebacker flew back to Boston this week to undergo tests on his left knee, and this means that if nothing else Bruschi will miss next week's game against the Oakland Raiders (though probably more than just that game).

With Bruschi out, the Patriots' defense is getting smaller and smaller, and it has already been waning more every day as the season wears on. Left defensive end Ty Warren was out again this week for the second straight week in a row after suffering a groin injury, outside linebacker Pierre Woods is out with a broken jaw, safety Rodney Harrison has been out most of the season with a right quadriceps injury, linebacker Adalius Thomas is out with a broken arm and rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley is also out with a broken left wrist, leaving the New England Patriots with one bruised and battered defense. New England signed former Patriot and 10-year NFL veteran Rosey Colvin last week in the wake of Thomas and Woods' injuries, and later that week signed another former player, Junior Seau, to their defensive lineup as well. The news of Seau's return to the Patriots is nothing but positive for New England, as the 39-year-old linebacker and former Pro Bowler will give the Patriots some of the depth and confidence the team's defense has been lacking for the last few weeks.

While the immediate future of linebacker Tedy Bruschi is yet unknown, the Patriots will continue using their offensive strength to overcome any deficits the team's defense might leave. Matt Cassel continues his hot streak on the offensive side while Randy Moss and Wes Welker both give the Pats' offense the little boost they've needed these last few weeks to slide past the Seahawks, Dolphins and Bills. As New England approaches the end of the regular season in games against the Raiders, Cardinals and Bills, however, Bruschi is one key player that may miss them all. No matter whether or not Bruschi returns this season, Patriots fans can get New England Patriots tickets from http://www.stubhub.com/new-england-patriots-tickets and cheer on the rest of the team as the Pats continue posting up wins in the regular season in search of a shot at the playoffs.

Bruschi, no stranger to playoffs and Super Bowl championships, has been loyal to the Patriots since 1996, when he was picked by New England in the third round of the NFL Draft out of Arizona. The star linebacker has averaged 112 tackles over the last five seasons, and he has led the Patriots in tackles for the last two seasons (with 124 in 2006 and 99 in 2007.) In his 12 seasons with New England, Bruschi has played in 22 playoff games and five Super Bowls, one of the highest of any player in the league.