Watson makes the jump by returning to practice

FOXBOROUGH - Tight end Benjamin Watson returned to practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his left ankle Oct. 14 against the Cowboys. Watson, who has missed the Patriots' last two games, participated in a limited portion of practice and did not appear to be hindered while jumping in warm-up drills.

Watson's potential return would further boost a high-octane offense that has scored 101 points the last two weeks.

Watson had totaled 18 receptions for 222 yards and five touchdowns before he hurt his ankle in the second quarter against the Cowboys. He was dragged down by Dallas safety Roy Williams on a play that appeared to be close to an illegal horse collar tackle (Williams was not fined for the play).

In his fourth season, Watson plays a role for the Patriots similar to the one the dangerous Dallas Clark plays for the Colts, Sunday's opponents. While both are tight ends, they have receiver-like skills that can create matchup problems for a defense, which must decide whether to commit a linebacker or safety in coverage.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pound Watson is a regular on early downs, and also remains on the field in the team's two-minute offense. In his absence, the Patriots had receiver Jabar Gaffney filling that role in the two-minute package.

The Patriots also have Kyle Brady and Marcellus Rivers at tight end, a position that figures to play an important role against the Colts because of the pressure they can create with pass-rushing defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Tough to forget

One play in last season's AFC Championship game that particularly stung cornerback Ellis Hobbs came when he was penalized for pass interference on Reggie Wayne in the end zone. The play came in the third quarter and set up a Colts 1-yard touchdown that tied the game at 21.

Hobbs had his back turned to quarterback Peyton Manning on the play, but never appeared to make contact with Wayne. Hobbs later said the NFL told the Patriots officials erred in calling the penalty, and he was asked yesterday if that made it easier to accept.

"No," he said, "because I still went home."

The penalty lingered with Hobbs, but he's not necessarily using it as motivation leading into Sunday's game.

"You just deal with it," Hobbs said. "That was last year. It's over with and it's time to move on."

Lasting effects

With the Patriots 8-0 and the Colts 7-0, the winner will earn important leverage in the race for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The first tiebreaker between teams with the same record is head-to-head competition, so it's possible the result could impact the playoff picture.

But outside linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 13 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles last Sunday against the Redskins, believes it's too early to talk about the issue.

"In Week 14, that's when we can start to look where we're at," he said. "I remember back in Pittsburgh, when we had home-field advantage wrapped up, [coach] Bill Cowher rested the starters. We've never gotten into that here, as far as looking down the road."

Vrabel, who was limited in yesterday's practice because of a shoulder injury, knows the Patriots face a significant challenge in defending running back Joseph Addai (592 yards, 4.8-yard average).

"He's had a really good season so far this year," Vrabel said. "His ability to read linemen and blocks, and his jump-cutting ability in the hole is impressive. It's important to stay in there with him and wait it out."

Same play

The Yankees are hoping they've taken a page from the Patriots' book with the hiring of Joe Girardi as manager.

"The comparison I would make is with Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Post. "He got his first coaching gig, had problems with ownership and players. But he was a smart guy, he learned from the experience, and adjusted. In Florida, Girardi was Belichick in Cleveland. Hopefully, he can help us become the Patriots."

Time drawing near

Wide receiver Troy Brown, who remains on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason knee surgery, remained out of practice. If Brown is to play this season, the team must "start the clock" on him by Saturday at 4 p.m. Once a team starts the clock on a player on the PUP list, it has 21 days to decide whether the player is placed on the 53-man roster or on season-ending injured reserve.

Brown remains hopeful of his return, saying this week, "Every day I'm working out and trying to get better and hopefully, when the time is right, I'll be ready to go."

Missing out

Cornerback Asante Samuel missed practice for personal reasons. His agent, Alonzo Shavers, said the absence had nothing to do with a health-related issue. "He's fine, he's healthy," said Shavers, indicating that Samuel was likely to return to practice today . . . Defensive end Richard Seymour, who last Sunday played 22 of 57 snaps (including one play on which holding was called) in his first action of the season, was not listed on the team's injury report. That's a reflection that Seymour's knee, which wasn't healthy enough for him to open the season on the active roster, responded favorably to its first extended game action . . . Linebacker Eric Alexander (knee), safety Mel Mitchell (groin), and running back Sammy Morris (chest), all of whom have missed the last two games, did not practice . . . Safety Eugene Wilson (ankle), who missed last Sunday's game, did not practice . . . Kyle Brady was held out of the second half against the Redskins because of an undisclosed injury and was limited in practice yesterday because of a "team decision". . . . Receiver Randy Moss (team decision) and inside linebacker Adalius Thomas (ankle) had limited participation in practice . . . Quarterback Tom Brady was named AFC Player of the Month for October after winning the award in September . . . Owner Robert Kraft stopped by practice, which was held in full pads.

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.