FOXBORO -- Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked yesterday about rookie linebacker Shawn Crable. The third-round draft pick out of Michigan, believed to be in the mix at outside linebacker, has been a day-of-game inactive for the Patriots’ first three games.

Though he hasn’t yet been on the field, Belichick said Crable is making progress and may get an opportunity to contribute soon.

“I think there is definitely a chance,” he said. “I think Shawn has improved all the way through camp and in the regular season in the opportunities that he’s had. If we were able to take more players to the games, I’m sure Shawn would go to the game and I’m sure he would play. He hasn’t been on the active roster, but we have a lot of confidence in Shawn and I’m sure that he would be able to contribute for us if he was (in) the game. ”

Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel and Pierre Woods have been New England’s outside linebackers. Crable recorded the Pats’ only interception of the preseason and his first pick since high school, against Baltimore.