The Patriots have used their franchise tag on veteran DT Vince Wilfork, Comcast Sports New England reported Monday, meaning he will be paid $7.003 million next season to stay with the team.

We are now less than a week from the deadline (Feb. 25) by which teams must apply the franchise tag to prevent potential unrestricted free agents from hitting the market. Who will get tagged?

NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche believes the Saints will apply the franchise tag to unrestricted free-agent FS Darren Sharper.

Houston’s talented young cornerback, Dunta Robinson, is trying to simulate training-camp conditions while he sits on his franchise tag.

Houston Texans CB Dunta Robinson is not in training camp, and has yet to sign a contract. Robinson told The Houston Chronicle during a phone interview he’s likely to join the team during the first week of the regular season, but would report immediately if the team promised not to place its franchise tag on him for the second consecutive season.

Former first-round draft pick Dunta Robinson has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender from the Texans and could miss the start of training camp, according to a source.