If defensive lineman Richard Seymour can’t play tomorrow, it will mean more snaps for Mike Wright and Le Kevin Smith.

The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

FOXBORO — There’s a 50-50 chance the New England Patriots will be without defensive lineman Richard Seymour tomorrow in Buffalo, as he has been listed as questionable for the game against the Bills.

Seymour injured in his back in the first half against the Cardinals last week, and once again missed practice yesterday.

But the fact that he has been called questionable means he could be a game-time decision.

Seymour has not missed a game this season, and before leaving the field last Sunday, he teamed with Mike Wright for a sack of Kurt Warner. The half-sack gave Seymour eight for the season, establishing a career high for the eight-year veteran.

If Seymour cannot play, it will mean more playing time for Wright and Le Kevin Smith, both of whom have had their snap count rise in the later stages of the season because of Ty Warren’s groin injury.

New England did declare three players out of its regular-season finale: LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee), DB Ray Ventrone (jaw) and G Billy Yates (hand). Bruschi will have missed the final three games of the season with the knee injury. It was sore before the Seattle game, but he took a hit from a teammate against the Seahawks and hasn’t been on the field since.

Ventrone apparently was injured against Arizona, and Yates likely was hurt in practice on Tuesday. He was on the field for the media-access portion of the session that day, but then was listed as not participating Wednesday or yesterday.

The Patriots had Christmas Day off.

In addition to Seymour, the Patriots listed seven other players as questionable: LB Gary Guyton (ankle), T Mark LeVoir (ankle), CB Deltha O’Neal (ankle), LB Vince Redd (ankle), S James Sanders (abdomen), DB Lewis Sanders (shoulder), and Warren (groin).

O’Neal is a new addition to the list.

Three players are probable: CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), T Matt Light (shoulder) and NT Vince Wilfork (shoulder).

Buffalo has ruled its top cornerback, Jabari Greer (knee), and wide receiver James Hardy (knee) out. Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (knee), receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish (knee) and linebacker Teddy Lehman (groin) are doubtful. Running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) and linebacker Kawika Mitchell (knee) are questionable.

Praise for Bills

While the Patriots have a chance tomorrow to set a league standard for fewest accepted penalties in a season — they currently have 55, and Seattle established a record last season with 59 — the Bills have been fairly disciplined on the field, as well. They have 68 accepted penalties, tying them with Atlanta for second-fewest in the league.

Head coach Bill Belichick described it as one more positive for a team he seems to believe is better than its record would indicate.

“I think they are a mentally and physically tough team, well disciplined,” he said. “I think they’re well coached; Dick (Jauron) has done a good job there, and I think the coordinators have done a good job there. It’s a collective toughness and collective intensity that they play with, and they play a smart football game,” with few penalties and good situational results.

Like every team, Belichick added, there are plays that Buffalo would like to have back, plays that could have made a difference in its record, but “when I’m watching them play, I see a smart, tough, disciplined football team.”

Belichick was an assistant coach in Detroit in 1976-77 when Massachusetts native Jauron was in his final two seasons as a safety for the Lions. Jauron played three years for the Bengals before a knee injury ended his career in 1980.

History on Pats’ side

During their conference calls on Wednesday, Jauron and Bills receiver Lee Evans said the chance to knock New England out of the playoffs isn’t adding extra motivation for a team looking to finish at .500, but yesterday the Buffalo News reported that several players are relishing the chance to be the spoiler for the Pats.

New England has won 10 straight and 15 of its last 16 games against the Bills, and probably must make it 11 in a row if it is to reach the playoffs.

smanza@projo.com