Taylor

Price

Price sat out the preseason finale, but at least we now know the nature of his injury. He should be close to 100 percent by next week’s game. The Patriots’ plans are often vague, but we’re not expecting a major role for Price early in the season.

Backup safety Josh Barrett will replace Chung against Buffalo’s No. 1 scoring offense, and the loss of Haynesworth will create some depth issues along an already depleted defensive line. All together, this presents a slight upgrade for Bills skill position players in a game that was already projected to be a shootout.

He’ll be well behind the eight ball by training camp, assuming Price is even healthy then. It’s a big setback for a talented, but underachieving player who will be fighting just to make the team. Coach Mike Mularkey has given no timetable for Price to return. He could be a candidate for the PUP list.

Taylor Price (hamstring) was also limited. Tiquan Underwood could function as the third receiver and situational deep threat for a second straight week. There’s no fantasy value here.

The writing was on the wall for the 2010 third-round pick after he found himself behind street free agent Tiquan Underwood on the depth chart. Price was active for only 4-of-27 possible games since coming into the league, and has made just three catches. Price will likely attract some interest on waivers among teams that had a high grade on him coming out of college. He just turned 24.

According to the Boston Herald’s Ian Rapoport, “about five” teams placed claims on Price. Jacksonville is an ideal landing spot for the former third-round pick, who should find himself near the top of the depth chart for a team with precious little talent at receiver. One of the few highlights of Price’s two-year career came against the Jags in this season’s preseason opener, as he reeled in five catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s done a good job in practice,” said O’Brien. “He’s a guy that we’ve got to give him more reps in the game.” Asked if Price could play in three-receiver sets this week, O’Brien replied, “You’ll see that on Sunday.” Price is worth a speculative stash in deeper leagues, and his increased role suggests Chad Ochocinco will remain irrelevant going forward.

Price missed last week’s game with the injury. His status for Week 10 is unclear, though he appears to be behind Chad Ochocinco for the No. 3 receiver role.

We’ve been keeping an eye on Price ever since OC Bill O’Brien suggested he was in line for an increased role three weeks ago. In the meantime, signs indicate the Pats would prefer to get Chad Ochocinco more involved in the offense.

There has been a small amount of hype coming from the Patriots camp about Price, but he’s little more than a speculative stash in extremely deep leagues. In most cases, he’s strictly waiver wire material.