Patriots place backup safety Mitchell on injured reserve

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots placed backup safety Mel Mitchell on injured reserve Thursday with a biceps injury, sidelining the special teams player for the Super Bowl.

Mitchell was inactive for last Sunday's 21-12 AFC Championship Game win over the San Diego Chargers after playing a week earlier in New England's 31-20 divisional playoff victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.

Mitchell spent all of last season, his first with the Patriots, on injured reserve with an arm injury. This season, he played in 11 games, including one in the playoffs, and had 11 special teams tackles.