FOXBOROUGH — Even though he has been used sparingly at quarterback, deployed in a number of other roles, Tim Tebow gives the Patriots’ defense plenty to ponder leading up in Sunday’s game against the Jets.

“Absolutely,’’ said nose tackle Vince Wilfork. “I mean, he’s shown up on offense and special teams. They use him, so you have to account for him. The guy’s a playmaker. He’s a winner and he’s passionate about playing football, so we have to be able to understand, when he’s in [the game], how they’re trying to use him.’’