GotGibson?
Bench Warmer
In an encouraging sign for the New England Patriots on the injury front, left tackle Matt Light, center Dan Koppen, running back Sammy Morris, receiver Julian Edelman, safety Brandon Meriweather and linebacker Eric Alexander were present at Friday's practice inside the Dana-Farber Field House.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said it was a boost to see a handful of injured players returning to practice, noting that some of them will be game-time decisions for Sunday's clash against the Indianapolis Colts.
"It was certainly good to see most of the guys out there, running around, participating," Belichick said. "Some of those, of course, will be game-time decisions. We'll see how things turned out after practice here and find out how these guys are doing. But it was definitely good to have them back out there, no doubt."
Belichick was not asked to specify which players would be game-time decisions.
The only players not spotted on the practice field were rookie receiver Brandon Tate, veteran running back Fred Taylor, and defensive lineman Jarvis Green.
Light has been out since the team's Oct. 11 loss to Denver with a right knee injury, Morris and Edelman have not played since being injured in an Oct. 18 victory over Tennessee and Alexander has been out since the Oct. 25 victory over the Buccaneers in London. Koppen left last Sunday's win over the Dolphins with a knee injury and Meriweather, who played every snap Sunday, had missed the last two days of practice with a foot injury.
In the locker room Friday afternoon, Meriweather was asked if there should be any concerns with his foot.
"I hope not," he said. "I came out and practiced today and had fun doing it. I hope everything falls into place like it is supposed to."
As expected, two sets of speakers were set up along the sideline Friday as the Patriots prepared to work in noisy conditions in anticipation of a raucous environment at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Patriots traditionally practice indoors when preparing to play in an indoor venue.
With Tate's status looking iffy for Sunday's game -- and perhaps beyond -- the Patriots might have to consider a roster move, such as placing Tate on season-ending injured reserve.
Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Sam Aiken top the receiver depth chart. With fellow rookie receiver Edelman having missed the last two games, depth could be an issue at the position unless the team taps into emergency option Matthew Slater, who is more of a special teamer.
Practice squad players Isaiah Stanback and Terrence Nunn would be top candidates in any roster moves. Stanback, a quarterback, has been expanding his receiving work in recent weeks and has impressed the coaching staff in a variety of areas.
Kickoff returns could also be a consideration with any potential roster move.
The Patriots have had running back Laurence Maroney, Edelman, running back Kevin Faulk and Tate as kickoff returners this season, but with a personnel shortage at running back, using Maroney and Faulk in that role is a bit risky. A few other options on the roster are Slater and cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Darius Butler.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said it was a boost to see a handful of injured players returning to practice, noting that some of them will be game-time decisions for Sunday's clash against the Indianapolis Colts.
"It was certainly good to see most of the guys out there, running around, participating," Belichick said. "Some of those, of course, will be game-time decisions. We'll see how things turned out after practice here and find out how these guys are doing. But it was definitely good to have them back out there, no doubt."
Belichick was not asked to specify which players would be game-time decisions.
The only players not spotted on the practice field were rookie receiver Brandon Tate, veteran running back Fred Taylor, and defensive lineman Jarvis Green.
Light has been out since the team's Oct. 11 loss to Denver with a right knee injury, Morris and Edelman have not played since being injured in an Oct. 18 victory over Tennessee and Alexander has been out since the Oct. 25 victory over the Buccaneers in London. Koppen left last Sunday's win over the Dolphins with a knee injury and Meriweather, who played every snap Sunday, had missed the last two days of practice with a foot injury.
In the locker room Friday afternoon, Meriweather was asked if there should be any concerns with his foot.
"I hope not," he said. "I came out and practiced today and had fun doing it. I hope everything falls into place like it is supposed to."
As expected, two sets of speakers were set up along the sideline Friday as the Patriots prepared to work in noisy conditions in anticipation of a raucous environment at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Patriots traditionally practice indoors when preparing to play in an indoor venue.
With Tate's status looking iffy for Sunday's game -- and perhaps beyond -- the Patriots might have to consider a roster move, such as placing Tate on season-ending injured reserve.
Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Sam Aiken top the receiver depth chart. With fellow rookie receiver Edelman having missed the last two games, depth could be an issue at the position unless the team taps into emergency option Matthew Slater, who is more of a special teamer.
Practice squad players Isaiah Stanback and Terrence Nunn would be top candidates in any roster moves. Stanback, a quarterback, has been expanding his receiving work in recent weeks and has impressed the coaching staff in a variety of areas.
Kickoff returns could also be a consideration with any potential roster move.
The Patriots have had running back Laurence Maroney, Edelman, running back Kevin Faulk and Tate as kickoff returners this season, but with a personnel shortage at running back, using Maroney and Faulk in that role is a bit risky. A few other options on the roster are Slater and cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Darius Butler.
