Pats cornerback Deltha O’Neal, right, defending the Steelers’ Nate Washington, seems to have lost a step or two.

The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson

By the end of the season, the New England Patriots’ defense did not at all resemble the defense that took the field for the season opener. Injuries to a number of players, primarily at linebacker and in the secondary, meant that old hands Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin were brought back for the final month of the season.

And by the time training camp begins, the unit that was on the field last Sunday in Buffalo may not be much like the one that assembles in the late July heat.

Here’s a look at players on defense who may have played their last game with New England.

James Sanders: A fourth-round draft pick in 2005 whose rookie contract will expire on Feb. 26, Sanders has developed into a solid safety for New England. He handled much of the backfield communication once Rodney Harrison was injured and finished the season with 66 tackles (44 solo), one interception and three passes defensed.

Rodney Harrison: The 15-year veteran tore his quadriceps on Oct. 20 against Denver and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. Despite his age, the 36-year old was effective on the field — he had 45 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble in five-plus games — and off, as Sanders and Brandon Meriweather frequently cite him as a dedicated mentor. Harrison could feel he has unfinished business and New England would likely welcome him back.

Mike Wright: The defensive lineman has become a key reserve for the Pats, and played well late in the season as his snaps increased. Wright enters free agency for the first time, having signed a one-year, restricted-free-agent-deal with New England last offseason.

Lewis Sanders: Signed for short money as a free agent last year, Sanders was called upon a great deal toward the end of the season, lining up at cornerback and safety when James Sanders missed time with an abdominal injury.

Deltha O’Neal: Despite the injuries in the secondary, O’Neal was relegated to a reserve role by the end of the season, supplanted as a starter by rookie Jonathan Wilhite. A two-time Pro Bowler, O’Neal was released by the Bengals at the end of training camp and it seemed like he was going to be counted on to line up opposite Ellis Hobbs, though it didn’t work out.

Pierre Woods: Woods was pressed into starting duty with Adalius Thomas’ injury, and seemed to be just finding his groove when he suffered his own season-ending injury — a broken jaw. The third-year player is a restricted free agent and figures to stick around.

Tank Williams: Williams became something of a forgotten man after suffering what’s believed to be a torn ACL in his right knee during the preseason. Before that, he was learning the hybrid safety/linebacker role Harrison has often played. Williams was signed to a one-year deal before the season. His rehab is progressing well, and at 28, he could be a candidate to return.

Chris Hanson: The punter had an up-and-down season, but certainly finished the season on a high note with his performance in the howling winds at Buffalo, which earned him AFC special teams player of the week honors. New England also has punter Tom Malone, who finished the season on practice squad.

While the above players are all free agents and New England will need to make a decision on each, no fewer than eight defensive players will enter the final year of their current contract in 2009. Those players include Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Jarvis Green, Ellis Hobbs, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi.

Signing Seymour and Wilfork to contract extensions is likely a top priority, as is keeping the defensive line intact. Ty Warren signed an extension last year that has him locked up until 2013.

smanza@projo.com