Cards leave Boldin, tops in NFC in catches, on bench vs. Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was inactive with a shoulder injury Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals, who have clinched the NFC West title.

With snow falling, the Cardinals chose not to use him against the New England Patriots. Boldin entered the weekend as the NFC's leading receiver with 89 catches. Teammate Larry Fitzgerald was second with 88.

Also inactive for Arizona were defensive end Travis LaBoy with an ankle injury, running back J.J. Arrington with a knee injury, defensive tackle Alan Branch, tight end Jerame Tuman and tackles Elliot Vallejo and Brandon Keith. Brian St. Pierre was the third quarterback.

Three starters were inactive for the Patriots: linebacker Tedy Bruschi for the second game with an ankle injury, safety James Sanders for the second game with an abdominal injury and linebacker Gary Guyton with an ankle injury.

Also inactive for New England were running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and offensive linemen Wesley Britt, Dan Connolly and Billy Yates. Matt Gutierrez was the third quarterback.