Free agent CB Leigh Bodden (back surgery) acknowledges that his 2012 season is up in the air. "I've just been working out my back, seeing if it can be able to withstand 16 games," said Bodden, "if I can come back or not." The 30-year-old would like more shot to continue his career, but he won't serious consider it until he knows his back is healthy.

Free agent CB Leigh Bodden (back surgery) revealed that he could "barely run" in his final days with the Patriots because his back hurt, his right leg was weak, and he couldn't flex his knee. The injury escaped the notice of the Patriots staff, and Bodden concedes that he didn't know the extent of it, either. "But I knew something was wrong," said Bodden. "... I got home and noticed one leg was smaller than the other. The muscle had atrophied. They measured my leg, and I had lost three inches."

Free agent CB Leigh Bodden underwent surgery Thursday to repair a herniated disk in his lower back. Bodden sustained the injury in Week 1 against the Dolphins. Credit goes to the Boston Globe's Greg Bedard for opining upon Bodden's release two weeks that he appeared to be slow and gimpy this season. The surgery is considered "routine" and not career threatening, though Bodden's season is over. He'll have to prove he's healthy to draw significant free agent interest in March.

Free agent CB Leigh Bodden visited this Chiefs this week. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli had already left New England before Bodden signed on there, but there is a connection with DC Romeo Crennel, who coached Bodden in Cleveland. The Chiefs have solid starters in Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr, so Bodden would be a third corner at best if he signs.

Former Patriots CB Leigh Bodden has gone unclaimed on waivers, making him an unrestricted free agent. No team was willing to pick up the remainder of Bodden's $3.9M salary. He will likely catch on elsewhere before the season is up. The 30-year-old is better suited to outside corner than the slot, where the Pats tried to play him.

Free agent CB Leigh Bodden was "going through the motions, unhappy to not be one the Pats' top three corners," according to SI's Peter King.

The Boston Herald reports former Patriots CB Leigh Bodden was waived because "he did not embrace the slot cornerback" role the team envisioned for him. His release was a "mutual decision." Bodden missed all of 2010 with injury, and ended up playing only five games after signing a four-year, $22 million extension in March 2010 that included $10 million in guaranteed money. The Patriots are going forward with Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling and Kyle Arrington at cornerback.

Patriots waived CB Leigh Bodden. Simultaneous to the PFT report, Patriots beat writers asked coach Bill Belichick for a comment on Bodden's play this season. Belichick's response: "I think we'll skip that one right now." The move is especially surprising given that Ras-I Dowling (hip) was downgraded to a missed practice on Thursday. Re-signed to a four-year, $22 million contract in 2010, Bodden had battled injuries this season while slowing down considerably.

The Patriots have "demoted" Leigh Bodden to nickel back, though he still played 66-of-77 snaps in Monday night's opener. Rookie Ras-I Dowling is now the first-team right cornerback. The Pats were in their nickel package for virtually the entire game, so Bodden spent the night mostly covering Davone Bess in the slot. Dowling held up well on the outside. Bodden was at least partially to blame for Bess' 92 yards on five catches.

After missing all of last season with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder, Patriots RCB Leigh Bodden says he'll be ready for full-contact drills in training camp. Bodden says there are "no lingering effects" from his early-September surgery and he will not need to don a red no-contact jersey. Bodden will likely be the Pats' starting right corner this season, opposite LCB Devin McCourty. On paper at least, New England's secondary appears to be in much better shape.