With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, teams don't have to be patient waiting for players coming back from injuries. That's why roster moves in these next three weeks will pick up and more players will go on injured reserve.
The Patriots have been the most telling team, signing tight end O.J. Santiago, figuring there is a good chance tight end Ben Watson won't play because of a knee injury that lists him as questionable. The Patriots value two-tight end sets. Having an extra tight end took priority over having an extra receiver -- hence the Doug Gabriel release -- or the luxury of carrying an extra blocking back on the roster, which is why Patrick Pass went on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury the Patriots couldn't wait around for.
With the signing of running back Jamal Robertson, the Falcons are figuring the chances injured halfbacks Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood probably won't play are good.
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John Clayton
