Tyrone

Poole

Asante Samuel will start.

Asante Samuel should get the start opposite Ty Law. The Pats defense hasn’t looked great this season, but Miami should be a good cure for what ails them.

Poole missed practice Thursday and did not play last week. He wasn’t listed until today, but it’s looking like Asante Samuel could get another start for the Patriots.

He missed week five was listed as questionable all week. Asante Samuel replaced Poole in the lineup.

It was most likely arthroscopic surgery, which means should return to action in a few weeks.

“I should be returning shortly,” Poole said. “It won’t be this week. But anything after that, who knows.”

This is a big surprise: New England welcomed back their starting cornerback last week in limited action and was expected to increase his workload this week. He must have had a setback during practice. When Ty Law returns, undrafted rookie Randall Gay will probably stay the starter. Asante Samuel is the other option.

Ty Law is out. One would think this would eventually catch up to the Pats. Monday night at Kansas City sounds like a good candidate for the defense to give up big yardage.

Troy Brown may get a chance to go back to offense full-time if Poole and Asante Samuel return this week.

Poole has been increasing his workouts the last few weeks since knee surgery. New England could really use him against the suddenly prolific Bengals passing attack.