Morris starting to flourish in any role

Morris lined up at fullback, converting a third and 1 from the Baltimore 17 that resulted in Stephen Gostkowski’s 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. When the Patriots went to an empty set, Morris lined up as a wide receiver.

“When I first came, something Coach [Bill ] Belichick always talked about was that will to find our own roles by what we’re able to do and show them that we can do it,’’ Morris said.

Morris rushed six times for 21 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season on a 12-yard run that gave the Patriots a 17-7 lead with 3:57 left in the first half. He showed some versatility, catching all five passes Tom Brady threw his way for 35 yards.

“It was just one of those tough slugfests and at the end we were able to pull it out,’’ Morris said. “When we were making those big plays - especially for me - the emotion came out.’’

Asked where his emotion came from, Morris replied, “Making a play. I mean, especially in a tough game like that, when you know that you want your number called, and when they call it you just try to make a play.’’

Seau was in town last week for his new show on Versus, “Sports Jobs with Junior Seau.’’ He was coy in an interview with the Globe Friday when asked about a comeback. Seau, who came out of retirement last year to play the final four games of the season for the Patriots, had said in a radio interview earlier this year that he could only give a team six games this year.

“The Pats are the team I’ll answer a call for and the only team,’’ Seau said Friday. “You and I both know the reason being is the relationship between Belichick and I. Belichick, if he does call, he doesn’t call anyone without having a plan, and for me I believe in what he does, that’s No. 1.

“No. 2, I know the system, so if I’m ever going to stick my neck out there in the gridiron I know that I have to have a chance to succeed, not only for myself but for the team and for the city.’’

Seau said that he and Belichick had chatted, but about surfing, not a return to the team.

“He is probably one of the best at his position, so it was nice to see him in there,’’ said safety Brandon Meriweather.

No one was happier to see Wilfork than defensive lineman Mike Wright, who had rolled up on Wilfork’s ankle against Atlanta last Sunday.

“To have him back is just huge in every aspect of the game, as far as the defense is concerned,’’ said Wright.

Wright picked up a 15-yard personal foul in the second quarter when he brushed Joe Flacco’s helmet on a 9-yard sack.

“I think I just nicked his facemask,’’ said Wright. “Fine me or whatever.’’

On Wright’s second sack, he just held Flacco up and waited for a whistle. He acknowledged he was thinking of the takedown Adalius Thomas had on Buffalo’s Trent Edwards in a similar situation in the season opener that resulted in a 15-yard penalty and a $5,000 fine for Thomas. “I learned from the first one to pretty much just keep him up, just hold him up,’’ Wright said.

When Terrell Suggs was called for diving at the knees of Brady, the Patriots quarterback was quick to signal to the referees. Asked if he was going to encourage the officials to make such calls, Brady replied, “Of course. They can’t go low. We learned that lesson a few years ago. They threw a couple of flags on our defense, too, so it goes both ways out there.’’

Medical personnel from both teams attended to Gaither, whose head and neck was immobilized before he was carted off on a stretcher. He was taken to Massachusetts General and had movement in all extremities.

Marshal Yanda replaced Gaither and rookie Michael Oher moved from right to left tackle.