Notebook: Hogan (shoulder), Cannon (ankle) leave early with injuries

FOXBOROUGH — Wide receiver Chris Hogan (right shoulder) and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon (ankle) both left Sunday’s game with injuries.

Hogan left the game in the second half after taking a serious shot after catching a ball over the middle and after the game, he was spotted in the locker room with his arm in a sling. As for Cannon, he left in the first half, spent some time in the medical tent and then departed for the locker room. He was replaced in the lineup by La Adrian Waddle, who has been utilized this year as the primary backup (or swing tackle) for the New England offensive line.

“It’s definitely different being the swing guy,” said Waddle after the game. “Coming in, you don’t know what side you’re going to come on, but in practice I play both sides so I prepare that way and just be ready for whatever happens. Unfortunately, Marcus went down, and I just wanted to be as ready as I could be when my number was called.”

According to ESPN, Hogan is slated for an MRI on Monday morning.

Harris sees plenty of action

Veteran linebacker David Harris was on the field for an extended stretch Sunday against the Chargers. We’re not sure at this point just how much he played — the official snaps count should be available on Monday — but at first glance, he appeared to be an active member of the New England defense, a group that is dealing with the loss of Dont’a Hightower for the rest of the season.

Harris’ high point was likely a blitz-type situation where he was able to be a part of a group of rushers who tried to chase down Philip Rivers. Harris tripped over a running back before he was able to get to the quarterback, but it was a positive play for the veteran, who will likely be asked to do more going forward with Hightower on the shelf.

“Whatever the defense asks the linebackers to do, we just try to do that at a high level,” Harris said when asked about the blitz. “When your number is called in those situations you try to affect the quarterback. A quarterback like Rivers, who’s one of the top (quarterbacks) in the league; no quarterback likes pressure up the middle, so I thought we did a good job of making him move and taking him off his spot.”

'Victory Monday' looms

The Patriots were given a "Victory Monday" by the coaching staff, and while that could be due in part to the fact that they are facing a bye week, the fact that the team was able to get to 6-2 despite everything it has endured also plays a part. It will mark the first “Victory Monday” of the season for the team. The Patriots will then also have their regular Tuesday off, and be back in the facility Wednesday before being cut loose for the bye week on Thursday. … The victory was the 269th of Bill Belichick’s coaching career, and now needs one more win to tie Tom Landry (270) for third place all-time, behind George Halas (324) and Don Shula (347). … The Patriots 14-play drive in the first half that ended with a 2-yard pass play for a touchdown from Brady to Rob Gronkowski tied the longest drive of the season. In addition, that touchdown was the 72nd connection between Brady and Gronkowski for their career, second only to Rivers and Antonio Gates (85) when it comes to the most touchdown connections between a quarterback and tight end.