Former Patriots cornerback Leigh Bodden has gone unclaimed on waivers and is now free to sign with any NFL team, according to a source. Bodden was a reserve in New England, but some have reported that he was unhappy with his role.

Bengals owner Mike Brown wanted to draft Ryan Mallett instead of Andy Dalton, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter says that Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was "instrumental" in selling Brown on Dalton. Dalton has led the Bengals to a winning record, while Mallett is a reserve with the Patriots.

Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo returned to action on Sunday afternoon against the Steelers after an extended absence. Mayo, who has been out since spraining his MCL against Oakland on Oct. 2, returned to quarterbacking the defense at middle linebacker. New England also got back offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, running back Kevin Faulk and defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick.

The Patriots have placed rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling on the injured reserve, further depleting their secondary. On Friday, they released veteran cornerback Leigh Bodden. New England used their two vacant roster spots to activate running back Kevin Faulk and defensive end Brandon Deaderick. The Patriots -- who rank at the bottom of the league in pass defense -- are left with six defensive backs on their roster and only two have significant starting experience.

The Patriots have decided to part ways with cornerback Leigh Bodden. Bodden had played a large role on New England's defense this season as their nickel cornerback. He played in five games this season, starting one. He recorded 17 tackles and four passes defensed. He was in the third year of a four-year, $22 million deal.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said he apologized to team owner Robert Kraft after pictures of him with an adult film star appeared on Twitter during the team's bye week. "I didn't intend anything to hurt the reputation of anyone on the New England Patriots or on behalf of Robert Kraft," said Gronkowski. "That's all, just a simple picture, that's all. From here on out, I'm just here to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the big game this weekend." Adult film star BiBi Jones posted photos of herself in Gronkowski's jersey standing with the tight end, who is shirtless. She appeared on 98.5 the Sports Hub on Monday. "I went into the room to take a picture with him and he said, 'Put on my jersey,'" Jones said to the radio station. "I asked him, 'Can I put these on my Twitter?' He was cool with it because I have more Twitter followers than him and he wanted me to get him more Twitter followers."

Patriots rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, who slipped to the fifth round of the draft after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, practiced with the team for the first time Tuesday. During his weekly appearance on Boston sports radio WEEI on Monday, New England coach Bill Belichick hinted at Cannon's impending return. "He's a good athlete," said Belichick. "He's definitely been able to do some things here in between some of his treatments and things that he's done. His strength level, his conditioning, his overall movement skills and all that have been impressive for his size. We'll see how all that translates to the football field and experience and plays and so forth, if and when that happens. It's definitely encouraging. "Most importantly, I hope it happens for him. He's worked hard. I know it's important to him. I hope things clear up so he gets that opportunity. We'll just take it day by day and see how it goes."

Terrell Owens will hold a workout of sorts on Tuesday in California and the Patriots are one of the teams that will evaluate the free-agent wide receiver. Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said in a conference call on Monday that the Patriots will evaluate Owens, just as they would any free agent holding workouts during the season. "I think he's no different than a lot of the other players that have been on the street," said Caserio. "We'll evaluate those players when they're available. We'll look at our situation, and then just make the determination, if that's something that makes sense for us. He's no different than however many other free agents are out there currently."

Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has just nine catches in his first six games with the team. With New England on a bye this week, the team has issued public support for Ochocinco and his role with the offense. "Ocho's progressing every week," coordinator Bill O'Brien said. "He's done a really good job in practice and when he's been in certain parts of games, he's produced, two-minute drives at the end of halves and things. "And we're happy with where Ocho is right now." Since being traded by Cincinnati on July 28, Ochocinco has struggled with the complex playbook, much more complicated than the ones he had for 10 years with the Bengals.

The 49ers have shown the strongest interest in Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd as the NFL trade deadline approaches, according to a report in The Denver Post. The Patriots and Rams are also interested in the veteran, according to sources. The Broncos are reportedly looking for a mid-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft in return for Lloyd.