Return game still hurting
Injury list at 17; 10 questionable
FOXBOROUGH - A few of the Patriots’ injured absentees were back at practice yesterday for the first time in weeks.
Most were present for team stretching, giving the Patriots the look of a healthy squad as they prepare for tomorrow night’s game at Indianapolis.
Then the practice/injury report came out.
Seventeen players are on it, 14 listed as either questionable (10), doubtful (1), or out (3). Defensive end Jarvis Green (knee), receiver Brandon Tate (knee), and running back Fred Taylor (ankle) were listed as out. They were the only players that did not practice yesterday.
Offensive tackle Matt Light was listed as doubtful as he continues to deal with a knee injury he suffered against Denver Oct. 11, but he participated in a limited practice. He has missed the last three games.
Receiver Julian Edelman (broken forearm), running back Sammy Morris (knee), center Dan Koppen (knee), linebacker Eric Alexander (shoulder), and safety Brandon Meriweather (foot) all practiced on a limited basis and all were listed as questionable.
Meriweather sat out practice earlier this week but he has no concerns with his injury. He said seeing some teammates back on the field was a boost.
“Whenever you get somebody back to the squad, it’s nice to see them,’’ he said.
Edelman has not played since the 59-0 victory over Tennessee Oct. 18. Morris also has not played since the Tennessee game. Koppen, who was hurt against Miami last Sunday, had limited participation for the first time this week.
Others back at practice included defensive end Ty Warren (ankle), who had a limited practice for the first time this week and is questionable. Tight end Chris Baker (shoulder), linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (groin), nose tackle Ron Brace (ankle), and safety James Sanders (groin) were also limited in practice and were also listed as questionable.
With so many key players battling injuries, players routinely fill in at different positions, which does not affect what gets accomplished at practice, coach Bill Belichick said. But even with a few players back, Belichick said it does not mean they are ready to play.
“We’ve had a couple of days of that, the filling-in thing, and [yesterday] we had some guys that I think might have a chance, but we just have to wait and see,’’ Belichick said. “If the game was [yesterday], I’m not sure if all those players would play. We’ve got another 48 hours plus and sometimes that can make a big difference in how quickly they turn around at the end of the week. We’ll just have to see how that goes.’’
The other three players on the report were Tom Brady (shoulder), cornerback Shawn Springs (knee), and tight end Benjamin Watson (back). All had a full practice and were listed as probable.
That includes some of the barking, dummy calls, and audibles Manning has been known to shout.
“We do it in our terminology, of course,’’ Belichick said. “Whatever plays we have called, if our defense happens to be in a look that we think Peyton wouldn’t run that play against, then we have [Hoyer] go to something else. We don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, of course, but it’s the process and the flexibility they have at the line of scrimmage that was well simulated.’’
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com ![]()




