Brady expects to play in opener

Practice recap The Globe's Mike Reiss talks about Monday's happenings in Foxborough, including news on Tom Brady, Matt Light, and Wes Welker.

FOXBOROUGH - Tom Brady, who has yet to play in the preseason because of a sore right foot, said yesterday he expects to return for the season opener Sept. 7 against the Chiefs.

Speaking during his weekly radio appearance on WEEI, Brady said that even if he doesn't play in the team's exhibition finale Thursday night against the Giants, he will be ready for Kansas City.

Brady participated in the media-access portion of the team's practice yesterday, which lasted about 15 minutes. He was seen stretching, lightly throwing to receivers and running backs, and running through bag drills - he zigzagged in and out and lifted his feet rapidly over bags while footballs were fired in his direction.

Earlier in the day, reporters spotted a walking boot at his locker, possibly an indication that behind the scenes Brady is wearing it to keep stress off the foot.

During his radio interview, Brady was asked how his right foot feels, on a scale of 1 to 10.

He laughed before saying: "I'm feeling very good. I'm feeling very good. Like I said, I'm hoping . . . I was wishing I could play last week and it didn't happen. It will be the same thing this week. I'm hoping I'm out there, and if I'm not, I'm not. I'm trying to get better as fast as I can, and in the ways I know how; it's been making improvements, there is no doubt about it."

A Light moment

The Patriots' offensive line, which has been struck by a string of injuries throughout the preseason, received a boost yesterday with left tackle Matt Light returning to practice for the first time since the opening weekend of training camp (July 26). Light was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. In addition, center/guard Billy Yates also returned after missing last week when he sustained a stinger in the Aug. 17 exhibition at Tampa Bay. Yates had been with the first-unit line, as right guard Stephen Neal, who hurt his right knee in Super Bowl XLII, remains on the physically unable to perform list.

He was up for it

Reflecting on his terrific 1-yard touchdown catch against the Eagles, third-year receiver Chad Jackson joked that he took a page out of the Randy Moss Book.

"I learned something from Moss - just going up, jumping over guys, and making plays," he said of the fourth-quarter reception on which he skied to snare a lofted pass from Matt Gutierrez in the back right corner of the end zone.

At 6 feet 1 inch, 215 pounds, Jackson, like Moss, is one of the Patriots' bigger receivers. He's hoping his performance Friday - which he described as an "up" in a preseason that's been up and down - is a momentum-builder.

"It felt great," said Jackson, who also had a 16-yard reception on third and 15. "It was my first touchdown in Gillette Stadium. I was real excited about that. It gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and show that I can make plays and help this offense progress."

Jackson, a high second-round draft choice in 2006, doesn't appear to be in danger of being cut, although Jabar Gaffney looks to be the No. 3 receiver at this time. Still, Jackson is approaching this week (clubs must trim rosters to 75 by today and 53 by Saturday) with a sense of urgency.

"It's the last chance to pretty much show what you got," he said. "Most of the starters are probably not going to play. Most of the primary guys, the big-name guys, are not going to play, so it's a big chance for me to go out there and show what more I can do."

Jackson acknowledged that he was nervous earlier, and that he's "not quite there yet" when it comes to being on the same page with Brady.

"As a younger receiver, you have older guys, veterans, who have been doing it for a few years, and they've been doing it the past few years with Tom," he said. "It would be a great deal if I could get on the same page with Tom. It's a great opportunity for me to be like the other guys."

Aiken is still achin'

Receiver Sam Aiken immediately thought the worst when he crumpled to the turf in the preseason opener against the Ravens Aug. 7 on a punt. He was helped off the field with a right knee injury. "I thought that it was over, that I finally get my opportunity and now this happens," he said yesterday. Aiken, who signed a two-year contract this offseason and projects as a top special teams player, now feels fortunate that the injury did not require surgery. The last few weeks have been spent rehabilitating, as he's yet to return to practice. "It's just another hurdle I have to get over," he said. "I'm coming along."

Minding his business

Six-year veteran Victor Hobson, who signed a one-year deal this offseason and was slated to be in the mix at inside linebacker, has played sparingly in the preseason. He also hasn't been on any first-string special teams units, which could mean his roster spot is in jeopardy.

"It's something I've never really worried about [over my career]," Hobson said of potentially being cut. "That's the business side and it's something I can't control. So I try to leave the cut-downs and who's-going-to-be-here stuff alone."

Hobson entered the NFL as a second-round draft choice of the Jets, spending the first five years of his career in New York. He played outside linebacker in 2006 and 2007 but was moved inside with the Patriots.

"At first, I don't think I was able to be myself out there and play," he acknowledged. "I think gradually I've been able to play faster and I'm getting into the role where I can be myself and really show people what I can do."

Last chance?

Veteran cornerback Jason Webster, who signed a one-year contract this offseason, returned to practice for the first time since being sidelined with a hamstring injury during the first week of training camp. He has yet to appear in an exhibition game, so Thursday's finale against the Giants figures to be an important audition for him. "I've learned that, playing in the NFL, injuries are a part of the game and I can't do anything about them except train and try to prepare my body so that they won't happen as often as they could possibly happen," said Webster, who projected as a contributor in sub packages, likely playing in the slot. "I just train and work hard, and hopefully I'll be out there soon."

Welker a walker

Receiver Wes Welker, who left Friday's game with a rib injury and did not return, was not present for the media-access portion of practice. He walked through the locker room when reporters were present but did not stop to chat . . . Safety Brandon Meriweather and tight end Benjamin Watson were also among the group of 13 players who were not present at the media-access portion of practice . . . Agawam native Mike Flynn, who spent the first 10 years of his career with the Ravens, on signing a one-year contract with the Patriots last Thursday: "Being from the state, I know the history of the team, and the sports history in all of New England. When they gave me the opportunity, I was grateful. I have a week to show them what I can do. Hopefully I can play well enough and use what I did in the past and give me a chance to stick around and try to win a championship."

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