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The New England Patriots will face the resurgent Buffalo Bills on Sunday evening without starting right guard Stephen Neal, who was unexpectedly downgraded to "out" on Saturday night because of a shoulder injury.

New England also ruled out free safety Eugene Wilson and linebacker Eric Alexander, but those moves were anticipated since it is believed neither player practiced much this week.

Neal was limited in practice and, until Saturday, was listed as "questionable" on the injury report, but it was expected he would play. So the Saturday night move was at least mildly surprising. The six-year veteran, a starter since 2004, sat out three games earlier in the year, but had started the past five contests.

A former college wrestling champion, Neal, 31, is a rugged in-line blocker, much stronger as a run blocker than a pass protector. He has started 50 games in his career.

Versatile seven-year veteran Russ Hochstein, who has started three games in 2007, including two at right guard, likely will replace Neal again on Sunday evening.

Wilson opened the season as the starting free safety, but has been slowed by an ankle injury and has not started since Oct. 7. Third-year veteran James Sanders, who began the year as the starting strong safety while Rodney Harrison served a four-game suspension, has started the past four games at free safety.

In seven games, Wilson has 28 tackles and two passes defensed.

A knee injury continues to trouble Alexander, a standout special teams performer who has missed the last three games.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.