Playing in just his second game after returning from a fractured scapula that sidelined him for six straight weeks, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was injured in the second quarter Sunday on a low block by Titans receiver Bobby Wade. The injury is not to the same knee Harrison injured in 2005.

"He won't play in this game," said coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday. "He'll be out."

The coach went on to explain that Harrison will not be placed on injured reserve at this point in time, implying that Harrison may be able to return before the playoffs end on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 4).

"Not now," said the coach.

Belichick was also asked if he feels bad for the 37-year-old Harrison, who's suffered three serious injuries in just 15 months.

"I do feel bad for Rodney," said Belichick, who refused to comment on the play in which Harrison was injured. "Nobody's worked harder than he has. He's had a couple significant injuries, three in the last however many months it's been. Nobody works harder than he does. Nobody does more for the team in every area. It's a tough break. I feel terrible for him. Nobody wishes he could be out there more than he does, but I feel the same way – not from my standpoint – but from the team's standpoint and from what he deserves. But unfortunately that's the way it is.

Harrison was not in the locker room while the media was allowed in, but fellow safety Artrell Hawkins doesn't think the injury will take Harrison out of the game permanently.

"He's tough, and he's courageous, and this won't be the end of Rodney Harrison," said Hawkins on Wednesday. "It's something that we go through as players. And it's kind of the nature of an athlete to overcome obstacles and to find ways to succeed. He definitely is going to find a way to succeed. I've heard some people say, 'Well, he's getting old, he's getting old.' Well I can't tell, 'cause I'm four years younger than him and it's hard for me to keep up with him."