FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – Bill Belichick says he isn’t going to let an injury-riddled roster drastically change his coaching philosophy or schemes.

In light of an injury report released Wednesday that listed a dozen players, the Patriots head coach says the performance of reserves this Sunday against the Washington Redskins will determine the team’s success.

New England’s defense has been particularly hard hit. Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin is out for the year with a fractured hip, while linebacker Ted Johnson and nose tackle Ted Washington will be on the sidelines indefinitely. Another linebacker, Mike Vrabel, is doubtful with a broken right arm.

But Belichick said he’s not ready to abandon altogether the team’s 3-4 defense and go with four down linemen to account for his depleted corps of linebackers.

“I don’t think we want to sit here next week and go to plan D and the next week go to plan E and the next week go to plan F,” he said. “We’ll make some adjustments. Every player needs to prepare as if they’re going to play the whole game.”

“This is the heaviest I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” cornerback Ty Law said of the medical report. After suffering a sprained left ankle on Sunday, Law said he’ll make every effort to play Sunday against the Redskins at FedEx Field.

“I will push myself as hard as I can to play because I get paid to play, not sit out,” he said. “We’re down in numbers but we still have to go out and play. It may mean we change a few schemes here and there, but overall, we know everyone on this roster can play and wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t.”

The offensive unit has its own problems, including the loss of starting guard Mike Compton, who is lost for the season with a broken foot. Fullback Fred McCrary, center Damien Woody and wide receiver David Patten are questionable with knee injuries.

And then there’s quarterback Tom Brady, who came off the field after the Patriots’ win over the Jets last Sunday with a noticeably swollen right elbow.

On Wednesday, however, the former Super Bowl MVP declared himself ready to take the field against Washington.

“It feels fine,” said Brady. “I’ll be ready to go.”

The Patriots have won two straight after losing their opener in Buffalo, while the Redskins are coming off their first loss of the season, a 24-21 overtime loss to the Giants at FedEx Field.

“Obviously, we have guys here who coach thinks can play,” said veteran linebacker Roman Phifer. “It varies from week to week. It’s going to be based on what the Washington Redskins do and not what the injuries are.”

AP-ES-09-24-03 1630EDT