09:16 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2005

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- The Patriots will have to get used to playing without Rodney Harrison, while Matt Light's status appears very cloudy as well.

Steve Feldman, Harrison's agent, confirmed yesterday that Harrison will miss the rest of the season due to a left knee injury. No official word was available on Light, the team's valued left tackle. All Patriots coach Bill Belichick would say yesterday is that the team's medical staff was still evaluating both players and he'd have more information tomorrow.

"Your heart just goes out to (Harrison) because he's such a good guy," Feldman said. "What was amazing to me is that he is playing football now as well as he ever has. The ferocity is there and he hadn't lost any of the physical skill. He was still getting better."

Feldman wouldn't comment on the extent of Harrison's injury, but ESPN reported that he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

While the veil of secrecy regarding the injuries to both Harrison and Light hung over Gillette Stadium yesterday, the look on the faces of several players spoke volumes.

Fellow safety Eugene Wilson spoke about the loss of strong safety Harrison, one of the team's fiercest competitors. Several players say they were bothered by the sight of Harrison riding on a cart off Heinz Field Sunday in Pittsburgh.

"I just said to him 'good luck to you. You'll be in my prayers,' " said Wilson. "He was hurting. He had tears in his eyes. Knowing he might not be able to play, it hurts. He's like a big brother to me."

Other teammates were clearly fearing the worst, especially regarding Harrison. A powerful tackler on the field, the two-time Pro Bowler is also a major force in the locker room. He's one of the few players comfortable calling someone else out and regularly speaks with the media.The 12-year veteran has never missed a start in his two-plus years in New England.

"We don't know what the situation is right now, but we know it's serious," All-Pro lineman Richard Seymour said. "There's really no replacing Rodney Harrison and what he brings to the field and to the locker room. He's a Hall of Fame guy, in my opinion, on and off the field."

Guss Scott, a second-year player from the University of Florida, is Harrison's likely replacement. He suffered a knee injury last August and didn't play a down in his rookie year. Scott, who at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds is smaller than the 6-1, 220-pound Harrison, is also known as a tough competitor.

"Defensively he did a pretty solid job," Belichick said of Scott. "There were some things that could've been better and some of the things he ended up having to do in the game he really hasn't practiced a lot because Rodney has taken a lot of those plays. That's no excuse. Every player has to be prepared."

Offensive lineman Dan Koppen was fairly tight-lipped when asked about the potential loss of Light, who was carted off the field with what appeared to be a right knee injury. Nick Kaczur, a third-round pick from the University of Toledo, stepped in for Light midway through the second quarter and helped protect Tom Brady the rest of the game.

"The backups take their jobs seriously during the week and prepare like they'll play in the game," said Koppen. "We bring in some smart guys. When they get a chance, they're well prepared to play."

Throughout their run to three Super Bowl wins in four years, the Pats have lost plenty of stars to injury. This year's team will be without Harrison, Tedy Bruschi and possibly Light. That's a hefty dose of bad news, but this is a group that appears used to adversity.

"We don't pride ourselves on getting guys hurt and still winning games," said 12-year vet Willie McGinest. "We need everybody. Guys that come in just have to step up. The rest of the guys have to keep playing well and do what we need to win."

Journal sports writer Tom Curran contributed to this report