FOXBORO -- The Patriots had one starter return to practice, but several others were missing from their most recent session.
Tom Brady once again was not spotted at a Patriots practice occurring on a Wednesday. For the past few weeks, Brady has used Wednesday's to get treatment on a lingering Achilles injury. Malcolm Butler, Deatrich Wise, Kyle Van Noy and Marcus Cannon were also missing. Rob Gronkowski, who is suspended for Week 14, is not eligible to practice.
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Van Noy has been dealing with a calf issue that he seemed to aggravate Sunday against the Bills. To help provide some depth with Van Noy hurting, the Patriots signed linebacker Jonathan Freeny to the 53-man roster -- filling the spot vacated by Gronkowski this week -- and Freeny was present for the workout.
Marcus Cannon, meanwhile, has not practiced since leaving a Week 8 win over the Chargers with an ankle injury.
Neither Butler nor Wise seemed to be dealing with anything physically at the end of the game Sunday in Orchard Park, New York. And if they are injured, we may not know for another 24 hours or more. Because the Patriots are playing on Monday night, they will not be required to release an injury report until Thursday.
New England Patriots
The Patriots did welcome one starter back Wednesday: receiver Chris Hogan. He hasn't practiced since injuring his shoulder in Week 8. Should he be able to return for Monday's game, he would give the Patriots another weapon in the passing game -- and an effective red-zone target -- with Gronkowski unavailable.
The Patriots practiced inside the Empower Field House -- with the heaters blasting -- to help them get acclimated to the warmer temperatures in Miami they'll face early next week.