New England Patriots Report

Vereen returns; Connolly absent

September, 12, 2012

9/12/12

1:49

PM ET

By Mike Rodak | ESPNBoston.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Holding their first practice of the week on Wednesday, the Patriots were without guard Dan Connolly, who left Sunday's game in Tennessee with a head injury.

Running back Shane Vereen, who has been out since Aug. 24 with a foot injury, returned to the field. He could give a boost to the Patriots' backfield after missing the regular season opener.

Connolly's health will be monitored throughout the week, as his absence in Sunday's home opener against Arizona could vault Donald Thomas, Marcus Cannon, or Nick McDonald into a starting role at right guard.

The Patriots practiced in shells (light shoulder pads), a somewhat unusual occurrence for a Wednesday in the regular season.

Mike Rodak

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010.

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attends Providence College, where he assists the athletic department in game management, facilities, and logistics. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).