Pats place starting CB Bodden on IR

The New England Patriots lost a key player Tuesday when Leigh Bodden, their best cornerback, was placed on injured reserve.

Bodden, who led the Patriots with five interceptions last season, went on the season-ending list with a shoulder injury. He had been bothered by a knee injury earlier in training camp and returned to practice last week. He played in Thursday night's 36-35 exhibition loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Patriots did not say which shoulder Bodden injured.

New England got down to the 75-player roster limit by Tuesday's deadline by releasing defensive back Terrence Johnson and placing three other players on injured reserve: safety Josh Barrett (shoulder), defensive back Brett Lockett (chest) and defensive lineman Darryl Richard (foot).

The loss of Bodden could thrust first-round draft pick Devin McCourty from Rutgers into a starting spot. The other first stringer is expected to be Darius Butler, a second-round pick last year from UConn.

Bodden joined the Patriots before the 2009 season as a free agent after five seasons with the Browns and one with the Lions. He started 14 of the 15 games he played, returned one interception for a 53-yard touchdown, forced a fumble and recovered another.

Jets waive QB O'Connell

Kevin O'Connell is out, and Kellen Clemens is safe.

The New York Jets waived O'Connell, clearing the way for Clemens to make the team as the No. 3 quarterback.

Clemens signed a new deal Tuesday morning, restructuring his $1.1 million tender and taking a pay cut while securing his spot on the roster. He said he was given permission to speak with other teams about a trade during the last week, but decided to stay with the Jets despite some opportunities elsewhere.

The Jets also claimed linebacker Ricky Foley, a former CFL star, off waivers from Seattle to put them at the 75-player roster limit.

Ward cut, Bucs trim roster to 75

Derrick Ward's unproductive stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is over.

The seventh-year running back was released when the team trimmed the roster to 75 players. Receiver Terrence Nunn was waived, and linebacker Jon Alston was placed on injured reserve to get down to the limit for the final preseason game.

Ward signed a four-year, $17 million contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2009, moving to Tampa Bay after five seasons with the New York Giants. He was a 1,000-yard rusher two years ago with the Giants, but struggled to make the transition to a new offense.

In a limited role as a backup to a revitalized Cadillac Williams, who was coming off major knee surgery, Ward rushed for 409 yards and one touchdown while averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in 2009. He was even less productive in three preseason games this year, gaining 2.6 yards per attempt and finishing with 21 carries for 50 yards.

Seattle sends CB Wilson to Baltimore

The Seattle Seahawks surprisingly traded starting cornerback Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional 2011 draft pick.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said they felt there was enough depth at the position with Kelly Jennings and rookie Walter Thurmond that they could part with Wilson.