For the second straight week, Patriots rookie cornerback Darius Butler will reunite with one of his college teammates from Connecticut. Last week, he faced Dolphins offensive lineman Donald Thomas. On Sunday, he’ll see Colts running back Donald Brown, a first-round pick.

Butler, a second-round choice, said he and Brown “were pretty tight” during their four years together at UConn. (Brown left school after his junior season, but he redshirt his freshman year.) Butler has kept up with Brown during the year, and they’ve been in contact this week.

“I’ll keep it between us,” Butler said. “We talk trash back and forth.”

Brown rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries during the first six games of the seasons, but he injured his shoulder during the first quarter against the Rams in Week 7. Brown missed the past two games, but he has not been listed on the injury report this week.

Butler has been more and more playing time recently. playing roughly 50 snaps in each of the past three games.

"You definitely get more comfortable with every rep you take," Butler said. "I'm just still trying to learn the system, just gain everybody's trust."