FOXBORO -- Logan Mankins was the only player missing from Patriots practice in sweats and shells inside Gillette Stadium on Friday. Mankins injured his left ankle last Sunday in the second half of the win over the Bills and did not return to the game. He left Gillette Stadium in a walking boot after the game and has missed all three practices this week.
On the positive side, receiver Wes Welker and offensive lineman Dan Connolly both returned. Welker has been nursing a sore ankle, injured late in the win over the Rams in London while Connolly injured his back late in the first half of Sunday's game against the Bills. Both Welker and Connolly missed Wednesday and Thursday before returning on Friday.
One of the humorous highlights early on Friday was the sight of Vince Wilfork punting a football. Bill Belichick spent a considerable amount of time Friday talking about the virtues of kickers and punters in the NFL and whether more belong in the Hall of Fame in Canton.
The Patriots will have a walkthrough on Saturday before taking on Andrew Luck and the Colts at Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon at 4:25 p.m. For more, visit the Patriots team page at weei.com/patriots [1] and the blog It Is What It Is [2].
Links:
[1] http://www.weei.com/patriots
[2] http://www.itiswhatitis.weei.com
[3] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/patriots