Brandon Tate, the Patriots' third-round draft pick who missed the first six games of the season while recovering from an injury suffered his senior year at North Carolina, has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Tate hurt his knee during Sunday's victory over the Dolphins.

To replace Tate, the Patriots moved wide receiver Isaiah Stanback from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Stanback joined the Pats practice squad after the Cowboys waived him before the start of the season; he had spent two years with Dallas.

The Patriots also announced yesterday that running back Sammy Morris (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday night's game. Morris has not played since Week 6, when he was hurt in the Pats' victory over Tennessee, but he returned to the practice field on Friday.