The Patriots drafted cornerback Darius Butler in the second round in 2009, but gave up on him after just two seasons — a rarity in the NFL — when he was released before the 2011 campaign.

Butler will get the opportunity to show the Patriots they made a mistake on Sunday because he will be firmly in the crosshairs as part of a depleted secondary for the Colts, who have won four straight games and five of six to be a surprising 6-3 after a 2-14 season a year ago.