FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Broncos S Brian Dawkins will not play in Saturday night’s divisional playoff game vs. the Patriots after being listed as doubtful.

Dawkins seemed to make some progress from a pinched nerve in his neck this week, but he’s now missed four of Denver’s past five games. His absence in the secondary was attributed to some of the team’s defensive struggles late in the season.

The Broncos already knew they’d be without leading WR Eric Decker after he sustained a sprained MCL in the wild-card round. Eddie Royal and playoff hero Demaryius Thomas should start at wideout.

OT Sebastian Vollmer is the most notable of the Patriots’ seven inactive players.