Still some missing links

Morris, Jordan again absent from practice

FOXBOROUGH - For the third straight week, the Patriots could be playing with just three healthy running backs.

Sammy Morris (knee) did not practice this week and is doubtful for tomorrow's game at Gillette Stadium against the Buffalo Bills, and LaMont Jordan, who has missed the last four games with a right calf injury, missed practice for the second straight day yesterday. Jordan is listed as questionable.

Prior to practice, coach Bill Belichick was asked if Jordan, who didn't play last Sunday against the Colts despite having limited participation in all three practices, was progressing toward a return or whether his comeback had plateaued.

"I would say he is day to day," said Belichick. "A lot of times when guys come back, they are ready to go out there and practice every day. Other guys come back and they are not ready to absorb that full load on a day-after-day-after-day basis. Sometimes it is better to work them, back them off, work them, back them off, until they reach a point where they are ready to get into the mainstream and do what everybody else does.

"So, we try to do what's best for each individual player based on his situation, so that's what we are doing."

Normally, not practicing is a sign a player won't play, but don't rule out Jordan; earlier this season, he did not practice because of a foot injury and was listed as doubtful for the game against the Miami Dolphins, but ended up playing.

The only player the Patriots know they won't have tomorrow is rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley, who has a left wrist injury.

Besides Jordan, four other Patriots are questionable - nose tackle Vince Wilfork (toe), cornerback Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring), and wide receiver Matthew Slater (ankle). Cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring) is doubtful. Randy Moss was removed from the practice participation/injury report.

Hit where it hurts

The unnecessary roughness penalty tight end David Thomas was flagged for during the fourth quarter of the 18-15 loss to the Colts has proved costly in more ways than one.

The NFL announced yesterday Thomas had been fined $7,500. Thomas blocked Colts defensive end Robert Mathis in the back after the whistle on a 1-yard run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, drawing the penalty, which took the Patriots out of field goal range.

The third-year tight end took responsibility following the loss, but said he did not hear the whistle and was just playing hard and trying to be physical.

Hall goes to Washington

So much for the Patriots signing DeAngelo Hall. The free agent cornerback, who was let go by the Oakland Raiders in a cost-cutting move Wednesday, wasted no time finding a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins yesterday.

According to multiple media reports, the Redskins agreed to pay Hall a prorated portion of $1 million ($492,000) for the rest of the season.

According to NFL sources, the Patriots were among the teams pursuing Hall.

Patriots cornerback Jason Webster, who was a teammate of Hall's with the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons, said Hall would be a good addition to any team.

"He was a good teammate," said Webster. "He came out and worked. You knew you were going to get some big plays out of him on Sunday."

Bills' Whitner out

The Bills will be without four starters Sunday, including safety Donte Whitner, who suffered a separated right shoulder last week against the Jets.

The others are defensive end Aaron Schobel, who has a sprained ligament in his left big toe, right guard Brad Butler (sprained left knee), and wide receiver Josh Reed (ankle).

Of the players who are out, only Whitner played last week.

Another starter, linebacker Kawika Mitchell, is questionable with an ankle injury and had only limited participation in practice yesterday and Thursday. Perhaps as insurance, the Bills placed cornerback Ashton Youboty on injured reserve with plantar fasciitis and signed linebacker Teddy Lehman. A former second-round pick of the Lions in 2004, Lehman had been out of football this season.

Extra Mayo

Linebacker Jerod Mayo has been perhaps the Patriots' most durable defensive player, a rarity for a rookie given the increased toll that comes with moving from college football to the NFL. Mayo has started all eight games and remains on the field for every defensive package.

"I feel great," Mayo said. "Of course, it's a little different. We've still got eight more games to go. I feel good."

Mayo leads the team with 65 tackles and has shown steady improvement as a pass defender. He broke up a pass for the first time in his career last Sunday, batting away a Peyton Manning throw intended for tight end Dallas Clark in the fourth quarter.

"I feel like I'm getting more comfortable each and every day in practice," Mayo said. "Coach is taking that extra time along the way. I'm just trying to learn as much as I possibly can."

Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.