Hobbs return welcome development

FOXBOROUGH - Cornerback Ellis Hobbs returned to practice yesterday, albeit with limited participation, after sitting out Wednesday with a shoulder injury suffered against the St. Louis Rams last Sunday. That's good news not only for the Patriots' defense, but potentially for the special teams.

While New England needs Hobbs the corner to help slow down Peyton Manning and the Colts' passing attack, it also needs Hobbs the kickoff returner to continue to give the offense excellent field position. Hobbs leads the NFL in kickoff return average at 30.3 yards.

The Patriots might have to weigh whether it's smarter not to expose Hobbs and his shoulder to the blows he would take as a kickoff returner. Hobbs acknowledged not returning kickoffs would save his health, but he said he wants to do the job.

"I think so, yeah, if I didn't do it, but it's required of me," said Hobbs. "I can see if I was doing it very poorly, but it's a positive in my game right now. It's a positive for the team, and we have depth at cornerback, if I do need a blow. Special teams is special teams for a reason - that one special play. I feel like I can do it to a very high level, man. I'm going to continue to do it."

The only thing missing for Hobbs and the kickoff return team this season is a touchdown. Hobbs, whose long return is 81 yards, thinks that will come.

"Me, personally, every time I go back there I feel like I can break one, no matter what it is," said Hobbs, who praised his blockers. "All I need is a couple of blocks. I can take care of a couple [of defenders] myself. I just try to go out there with the mentality of catching the ball first and holding on to it and not letting my teammates down."

Colts' Jackson done

While the Patriots got good news at cornerback, the Colts encountered calamity.

Indianapolis placed starting cornerback Marlin Jackson on injured reserve, ending his season because of a knee injury. Jackson, who had made 23 consecutive starts at cornerback, was hurt during Wednesday's noncontact practice.

Coach Tony Dungy said Jackson suffered "significant damage" and was probably going to need surgery.

To replace Jackson, the Colts re-signed cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, who has played in four games this season for them. The Colts have played the last three games without starting corner Kelvin Hayden (knee, hamstring). Hayden sat out practice yesterday after having full participation Wednesday.

Tim Jennings started in Hayden's place and now could take Jackson's.

"I'm just going to try to fill in," said Jennings. "You hate for one of your guys to go down, but we have to keep it moving, keep it rolling. We wish Marlin the best."

In addition to Jackson and Hayden, wide receiver Reggie Wayne (knee), who had been expected to practice, sat out for the second straight day. Both running back Joseph Addai (hamstring) and safety Bob Sanders (right knee) fully participated in practice again.

Wilfork out $35,000

Vince Wilfork's meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell went well Tuesday, but not well enough to prevent the league from dipping into his bank account again. A league source confirmed that the NFL fined Wilfork $35,000.

The fine technically is for unnecessary roughness, the result of Wilfork elbowing Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in the head during the Patriots' 41-7 win Oct. 20. However, the high amount is based on what league officials felt was a pattern of aggression on Wilfork's part, dating to last season, that could negatively affect other players in the game, according to the league source.

The $35,000 fine matches the total Wilfork was docked for four incidents during the 2007 season.

Out of the shadow

One of the juicy subplots of any Patriots-Colts games was the clash of iconic quarterbacks - Tom Brady for the Patriots and Manning for Indianapolis. Like the game itself, that matchup has lost some of its luster with Matt Cassel filling in for Brady and Manning looking mortal this season.

Cassel said the QB comparison has no effect on how he prepares for the game. However, he acknowledged that part of his growth the last couple of weeks has been the ability to deal with Brady's ever-present shadow.

"As a quarterback and a young guy, you step in, especially in this role, and with the high-pressure situation that it is with the guy I am replacing, obviously, at first you are a little taken back by it and you have to gather yourself," Cassel said. "As you move forward, get more comfortable, and win some games, you start to understand that we are fully capable of winning games around here. You just try to build on that."

Medical center

Wide receiver Randy Moss (foot) had full participation in practice after having limited participation Wednesday. Running back LaMont Jordan (right calf) had limited participation for the second straight day. Three Patriots missed practice for the second straight day: running back Sammy Morris (knee), cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring), and rookie outside linebacker Shawn Crable (shin) . . . Linebacker Jerod Mayo was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October. Mayo, who leads the Patriots with 55 tackles, had 24 this month. He is the first Patriot to win the award since its inception in 1996 . . . Kicker Stephen Gostkowski was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October. Gostkowski was 9 of 10 on field goals and is 16 of 17 this season. He joins Adam Vinatieri, now with the Colts, as the only Patriots kickers to win the honor.

Mike Reiss and John Powers of the Globe staff contributed to this report.