Light makes return to practice

He shows no signs of a knee injury

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots finally got some good news on the injury front as left tackle Matt Light, who missed practice Wednesday because of a knee injury, practiced yesterday. Light was removed from the practice participation/injury report.

Light showed no signs of a limp as he sauntered through the locker room, walking without a brace, wrap, or protective sleeve.

Right tackle Nick Kaczur, who injured his right ankle against the Chargers last Sunday, was one of six players who did not practice for the second straight day. The Patriots had seven players missing practice because of injury or ailment, including rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, who was added to the list with flu-like symptoms.

The others were running backs Laurence Maroney (shoulder) and LaMont Jordan (right calf), wide receiver Kelley Washington (ankle), defensive end Jarvis Green (right ankle), and linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring).

LeVoir in line?

If Kaczur can't play Monday night against the Broncos and veteran Oliver Ross is not activated off the non-football injury list, second-year lineman Mark LeVoir could be in line for his first career start.

"I'm preparing just like I do every week; you just have to be ready to play and if Nick can't go, I could be up," said LeVoir.

Thrust into duty against the Chargers when Kaczur was injured in the first quarter, LeVoir, who played at Notre Dame, spending one season under former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, had his most extensive regular-season playing time since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2006.

The 26-year-old LeVoir, who was claimed off waivers from the Rams before the Patriots' season opener, had not appeared in a regular-season game with the Bears (2006) or Rams (2007). He played on special teams for the Patriots as part of the wedge on kickoff returns prior to filling in for Kaczur.

"I thought it was disappointing that we lost, but it's fun to actually get in there and play," LeVoir said. "Seeing the speed and all that, it definitely builds confidence and you get more recognition of what's going on. It slows down a little bit as you go on. It's not all chaos."

Short-yardage plays

The Patriots have been short on long runs this season. New England has only one run of 20 yards or more, a 22-yarder Sammy Morris ripped off in the opener against the Chiefs. Only the Cardinals and Jets (zero) have fewer 20-plus rushes, although the Bengals and Titans also have just one rush of 20 yards or more.

"Anybody would want to break the long ones as opposed to a few shorts ones," said Morris. "Each play kind of presents itself with different looks, and you have to make the most of that play."

Denver might be just what the Patriots need to dial long distance on the ground. The Broncos rank 26th in run defense, allowing five rushes of 30 yards or more already this season, including a 46-yard touchdown last Sunday to Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars.

Good to go

Cornerback Lewis Sanders returned against San Diego after sitting out the San Francisco game Oct. 5 with a hamstring injury. "I felt good. I felt real good," said Sanders. "Just got through it, so I'm feeling good now, and I'm ready to get on with this week."