The Patriots risked losing valuable backup LB/special teams player Dane Fletcher when they placed him on waivers on Monday. But the move worked out. Fletcher wasn't claimed, and he reverted to the Patriots' injured reserve.

By passing through waivers, Fletcher now doesn't count against the roster limit of 90 players.

The Patriots will have an interesting decision after this season on Fletcher. He's due to become a restricted free agent. As an undrafted free agent in 2010, the Patriots could tender him at right of first refusal all the way to a first-round pick. Fletcher, who will be coming off ACL surgery, would be expensive at anything other than his original round compensation (no draft pick).

The Patriots could have just reached an injury settlement with Fletcher and revisited 2013 at a later date.

Fletcher will get his full $540,000 salary while on injured reserve.

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