FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers with a thumb injury, which has kept Fletcher off the practice field for two weeks.
Rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling (hip), who hasn't gotten into a game since Week 2, is listed as doubtful after missing the team's last two practices, so it appears to be very unlikely that he'll play Sunday.
Fletcher and Dowling were the only two players who missed practice this week.
Safety Josh Barrett (thumb), running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (back), linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) and tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back) are questionable after being limited in practice all week.
Mayo hasn't played since injuring his left knee in Week 4 against the Raiders, but he has participated in the team's last seven practices, dating back to the Friday prior to the Week 6 victory against Dallas. Sunday would mark four weeks since Mayo's injury.
