New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch (groin) has been downgraded to out for tomorrow's game against the Broncos.

Branch was injured in the second half of last week's game against Washington and did not return to the game.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (groin, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 15. He's not a dependable option this week.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (groin) took limited practice reps again Thursday. He should be a go against the Broncos.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (groin) took limited practice reps Wednesday. It looks like Branch's groin is not serious. He could have a nice game if Champ Bailey shadows Wes Welker, as expected.

Patriots WR Deion Branch (hip, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 12. Branch likely suffered the injury this week and should be avoided against the Eagles.

The most exciting new face when Chad Ochocinco was brought aboard, to say that he has struggled is an understatement. Within the last month, teammates could be seen telling him where to line up before the snap, and because of that he hasn’t been able to contribute when the Patriots go to the no-huddle, which is a significant part of their offense. He hasn’t had a catch in three straight games, though he was targeted five times against the Giants. Tom Brady again expressed confidence in Ochocinco this week, and privately teammates say he’s putting in the work. With Deion Branch unable to get open like he used to and defenses starting to show more attention to Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots have little choice but to get Ochocinco ready for a bigger role.

The Patriots continued to favor a multiple-TE package, with the wrinkle this week coming with varied personnel within it. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien used a lot of "heavy" looks out of that with offensive tackle Nate Solder one of the tight ends. Receiver Chad Ochocinco was integrated more into those 2 WR snaps as well. The hurry-up attack was used with receivers Deion Branch/Wes Welker and tight ends Rob Gronkowski/Aaron Hernandez.

Patriots beat writer Rich Garvin on the status of WR Chad Ochocinco: "Two observations on the Ochocinco 'situation,' if you will. First, he’s currently on pace to finish with 27 receptions. Maybe he’ll end up with a few more, but anything above 35 or 40 would be shocking. It’s not like the 33-year-old Ochocinco was brought to Foxboro to be the No. 1 receiver, which was his role in Cincinnati for the last nine years. Or, for that matter, the second, third or fourth receiver. In the hierarchy of Patriots pass-catchers, Ochocinco is — and will continue to be — behind Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Deion Branch and, because of the way running backs are involved in the passing game, Danny Woodhead and/or Kevin Faulk, should Faulk return. He can master the offense all he wants — he isn’t moving up the ladder more than a rung."

Garvin's words certainly don't inspire confidence in Ochocinco's prospects for the rest of the season. His snaps increased exponentially in Week 3, but he's likely to go back to part-time duties once TE Aaron Hernandez returns.

A look at the snaps played by offensive skill-position players in the Patriots' 38-24 win over the Dolphins, while analyzing what they might mean (as charted in press box, small margin for error):

QB Tom Brady -- 80 of 80
TE Rob Gronkowski -- 75 of 80
WR Wes Welker -- 67 of 80
TE Aaron Hernandez -- 66 of 80
WR Deion Branch -- 62 of 80
RB Danny Woodhead -- 58 of 80
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis -- 22 of 80
TE Dan Gronkowski -- 21 of 80
WR Chad Ochocinco -- 18 of 80
WR Julian Edelman -- 6 of 80
WR Matthew Slater -- 3 of 80
FB Dane Fletcher -- 2 of 80

(Includes defensive offisde penalty, illegal formation penalty, false start penalty, 12 men on the field penalty, false start penalty, encorachment penalty, holding penalty and false start penalty.)

ANALYSIS: The heavy tight end usage is reflected in the high snap totals for Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The only time Gronkowski came off the field was in a three-receiver set, with Hernandez replacing him. ... With the Patriots running a hurry-up offense, it placed a premium on experience in the system at receiver, because players had to know where to line up and respond quickly. That contributed to Ochocinco's lower play-time total, as Deion Branch and Wes Welker took the majority of reps at receiver. ... Also tied to that approach was the running back rotation. With the Patriots going with the hurry-up, "passing" back Danny Woodhead was the better fit. ... Linebacker Dane Fletcher worked as a lead-blocking fullback twice at the goal-line; one produced a TD, the other an incomplete pass. ... Offensive line-wise, Brian Waters played 69 of 80 snaps at right guard. Not bad for a player who signed eight days before the opening game.

When New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was asked recently about the lack of catches for wide receivers Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco in the preseason, he blamed himself.

"I have to do a better job getting those guys the football, because they are very consistent playmakers for us, and I have to really make sure they are getting the football,’" he said. "They are great players, they’ve been great players for a long time, and we're going to find ways to get those guys the ball."

It's potentially good news for anyone who drafted Ochocinco. Branch doesn't have a lot of value at the moment.