New England Patriots' Leigh Bodden Put on Injured Reserve with Shoulder Injury

They're dropping like flies in New England.

First it was Nick Kaczur with a bad back, then Ty Warren's hip flared up, and now according to NFL.com, the New England Patriots have placed Leigh Bodden on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

The Patriots defense is running thin, and the regular season hasn't even started yet.

This certainly makes things interesting at the cornerback spot, as Rutgers first-round pick Devin McCourty will be asked to step in as a starter in his first year. Darius Butler, who saw time in the nickel spot, will probably be the starter on the other side of the field.

Bodden wasn't a big-time stats guy, only grabbing five or more interceptions twice in his seven-year career, and only doing so last year thanks to one of the worst games of Mark Sanchez's rookie year. Bodden's sound fundamentals and physical style of play were perfect for the Patriots defense, though.

Worse yet, what was once a hallmark for the Patriots defense, its veteran leadership and stability, has quickly become a question mark headed into the 2010 season.

Can McCourty and Butler hold their own as the No. 1 and 2 cornerbacks in the Patriots defense? It could be especially more difficult if the Patriots can't find a way to put consistent pressure on the quarterback.

The Patriots have been whittling down their roster to the mandatory 75, and eventually 53, but losing a starter can never be seen as a good thing, even in that regard.

Many pundits questioned the move, but with little else for talented depth at cornerback, drafting Devin McCourty just became a great move for the New England Patriots.