FOXBORO -- The Patriots went without their left tackle at Thursday's fully-padded practice, but the reason for Nate Solder's absence was not injury related. He was the only new addition to the latest Patriots practice report.
Rob Gronkowski missed his second consecutive session with a chest injury, throwing his availability for Sunday's game with the 49ers into doubt. Should Gronkowski miss any time, that could mean more of a role for Martellus Bennett in the passing game. It could also mean that Patriots No. 3 tight end Matt Lengel, who was signed off of the Bengals practice squad during the bye week, could be in uniform in San Francisco to provide some depth at the position.
Here's Thursday's full practice participation/injury report for Sunday's Patriots-49ers game:
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Rob Gronkowski (chest)
T Nate Solder (not injury related)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle)
DE Alan Branch (back)
WR Julian Edelman (foot)
WR Chris Hogan (back)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
New England Patriots
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Quinton Dial (knee/neck)
DT Glenn Dorsey (knee)
LB Eli Harold (toe)
LB Aaron Lynch (ankle)
CB Rashard Robinson (knee)
WR Torrey Smith (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION
G Zane Beadles (ankle/knee)
CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)
RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder)
C Daniel Kilgore (hamstring/calf)
S Eric Reid (knee)