PITTSBURGH — Cornerback Darius Butler's tumultuous season hit another low point Sunday, when he was placed on the inactive list for the Patriots' game against the Steelers.
Safety Patrick Chung, though, will return to action after missing two games with a knee injury.
Butler, a 2009 second-round draft pick who was not listed on the injury report, will miss his first game of the season. The Patriots' other seven inactive players are running back Fred Taylor (toe), right guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), safety Jarrad Page (left calf), defensive lineman Myron Pryor (back), offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger, tackle Mark LeVoir and wide receiver Taylor Price. Ohrnberger, LeVoir and Price were not listed on the injury report.
Defensive lineman Kyle Love will take Pryor's place after missing six consecutive games (not on injury report), and Ryan Wendell will serve as the backup interior lineman after being on the inactive list last week for the first time.
Taylor is missing his sixth consecutive game. Page is missing his fourth straight game. Neal and Pryor are out of action for the first time. LeVoir is out for the fifth consecutive contest. Ohrnberger is on the inactive list for the sixth time in a row, and Price has been out for all nine games.
Quarterback Tom Brady (foot) and defensive lineman Mike Wright (groin) will play after appearing on the injury report.
