"A league source said that Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who left Sunday's 24-21 win over the Seattle Seahawks with a knee injury, was sent back to Massachusetts to undergo tests on his left knee.

That would mean that Bruschi was not with the team yesterday in the San Jose area, where it will practice this week in preparation for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.

Bruschi left the game after Patriots cornerback Mike Richardson collided helmet-first with Bruschi's knee on the fourth play of the second quarter.

The source said the knee is the same one that has had Bruschi on the injury report the last couple of weeks and limited him in practice. Bruschi was seen walking out of the Patriots locker room at Qwest Field Sunday under his own power.

The Patriots lost two defensive starters on Seattle's first two possessions, as nose tackle Vince Wilfork was forced out with a shoulder injury on the first drive. A source close to Wilfork did not characterize his injury as serious and said the big nose tackle should be OK.

The Patriots also lost safety James Sanders in the first half with a rib injury. He did not return. Sanders said he wasn't injured against Seattle and actually felt something the previous week, but it started to bother him Sunday.

Injuries have been a way of life on defense for the Patriots.

They started the Seattle game without Ty Warren, who missed his second straight game with a groin injury, and outside linebacker Pierre Woods, who is nursing a broken jaw. Safety Rodney Harrison (right quadriceps), linebacker Adalius Thomas (broken right forearm), and rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley (broken left wrist) had their seasons ended by injuries.

Even the starters who are playing - such as cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who has been nursing a shoulder injury - are banged up."