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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots placed center Dan Koppen (leg) and defensive tackle Myron Pryor (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday and signed cornerback Phillip Adams and defensive lineman Landon Cohen to take their spots on the 53-man roster.

The 32-year-old Koppen fractured his left ankle late in the first half of New England's season-opening win in Miami. The 25-year-old Pryor, who missed the final seven games of last season due to injury, suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of Sunday's win over the San Diego Chargers.

Initial reports suggested Koppen might be able to return later in the season, but with injuries already mounting and Dan Connolly appearing steady in Koppen's place in Week 2, the team might not have been able to wait to see if Koppen could get back on the field.

Adams adds depth in a secondary where cornerbacks Ras-I Dowling (thigh) and Kyle Arrington (head) were both shaken up in Sunday's win over San Diego. Cohen has potential to fill Pryor's shoes as a rusher in sub packages.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and personnel director Nick Caserio suggested during conference calls with the media Tuesday that their process of evaluating potential additions to the offensive line won't change this week even as the team deals with the likelihood that center Dan Koppen will be sidelined for an extended stretch.

Koppen suffered a fracture in his left ankle during Monday night's 38-24 win over the Dolphins at Miami, according to a league source. He was expected to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the full extent of the damage before a timetable for his return can be established.

But it's safe to say the Patriots likely will need to add an interior lineman moving forward.

Whether that comes from within the organization or with the acquisition of a veteran, a la Brian Waters, remains to be seen. As for filling Koppen's starting role, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien heaped praise on the job Dan Connolly did in shuffling into that center role during Monday's Week 1 win over the Dolphins.

"Well, [Koppen is] a guy that's played a lot of football for us at a very important position," O'Brien said. "That’s not something that’s an easy thing to adjust to, but I do think that Dan Connolly went in there last night and performed pretty darn well for the situation he was put into. I'm confident in what he’s been able to do for us."

Connolly, who stepped in last season at right guard when Stephen Neal was injured, had been rotating at that spot on Monday night with Waters (an 11-year veteran signed last week to add depth on the interior line). Now Connolly likely will find himself back in the starting lineup in place of Koppen, especially after O'Brien noted the team made no offensive adjustments when Connolly took Koppen's place.

"With [Connolly], we didn’t adjust the game plan at all, we did the same things we did during the whole game," O'Brien said. "Like I said before, I thought he came in and did a good job ... the whole line played a very solid football game for us, and he was part of it."

Belichick noted that Caserio and the personnel staff are constantly evaluating the roster against what's available, especially early in the season when there are more bodies on the free-agent heap. The Patriots promoted Thomas Welch from the practice squad Monday for emergency depth (he was released on Tuesday, according to a source) with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer sidelined with a back injury (rookie Nate Solder started in his place).

"It's a continuous evaluation of personnel options," Belichick said. "If you feel there’s a way to improve your team, I think you consider it."

Added Caserio: "I would say that today is no different than any other day. We do research throughout the year, whether it's in the spring through training camp or the regular season. Our approach today is no different than any other week. We're going through business as normal."

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Patriots center Dan Koppen suffered a left ankle injury late in the first half and was carted off the field.

With the Patriots facing 3rd-and-1 at their own 19, quarterback Tom Brady sneaked the ball for short yardage to move the chains. But Koppen got tangled at the line and teammates immediately motioned for the training staff. He was lifted onto a cart and wheeled off the field with New England's medical staff holding his left ankle steady.

The Patriots initially classified his return as questionable, but soon ruled him out.

Dan Connolly took Koppen's place at center. The Patriots were already thin on offensive linemen with starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer sidelined by a back injury (rookie Nate Solder made his pro debut in his place). New England added Thomas Welch to the active 53-man roster from its practice squad before the game to add depth along the line.

Earlier in the game, Connolly and newly acquired Brian Waters rotated at the right guard position.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday afternoon inside the Dana Farber Fieldhouse. Players were not in pads for the slower-paced session.

Not present at the walkthrough was center Dan Koppen, who completed Monday night’s game and talked to reporters in the locker room after the game. Fox Sports reported on Wednesday that the Patriots worked out veteran center Jake Grove this week, who was released in September by the Dolphins.

Wednesday’s injury report, which will be released at 4 p.m., will shed more light on any possible injury to Koppen.

Also not present were defensive lineman Mike Wright and cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, who did not play in Monday night’s game. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Myron Pryor returned to practice after missing all of last week’s practices and Monday night’s game.

FOXBOROUGH -- Defensive end Ty Warren, who did not practice Wednesday, upped his workload during Thursday's practice. Warren was listed on the team's participation report as being limited in team drills during the session.

In addition to Warren, receiver Sam Aiken also increased his workload. After not practicing Wednesday because of a hip injury, he took part in limited team drills Thursday.

Did Not Practice:
OLB Tully Banta-Cain (groin/rib)
DE Jarvis Green (knee)
G Stephen Neal (head)
LB Rob Ninkovich (knee)
RB Fred Taylor (ankle)

Limited participation:
WR Sam Aiken (hip)
LB Eric Alexander (groin)
TE Chris Baker (shoulder)
NT Ron Brace (ankle)
WR Julian Edelman (forearm)
C Dan Koppen (knee)
LT Matt Light (knee)
RB Sammy Morris (knee)
DE Ty Warren (ankle)

Full participation:
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
CB Shawn Springs (knee)
TE Benjamin Watson (back)

LB Gary Guyton (illness) and WR Randy Moss (not injury related) were removed from the participation report.

On the Jets' side, LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring) and S Jim Leonhard (thumb) did not participate for the second day in a row, DE Shaun Ellis and WR Brad Smith (quad) were limited for the second straight day, and LB Bryan Thomas (toe) once again had full participation. Long snapper James Dearth (not injury related) was removed from the report.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Sights and sounds from the Patriots' locker room Monday:

Injured center Dan Koppen walks through: It appears that Koppen, who left Sunday's win over Miami in the second quarter after hurting his knee, avoided a serious injury, as he walked through the locker room Monday without crutches or a noticeable limp. Koppen declined an interview request. Earlier in the day, coach Bill Belichick did not provide an update but said, "He's a pretty fast healer. Hopefully he'll be back out there soon."

Colts talk picking up: Plenty of chatter about the upcoming game against the Colts. Cornerback Leigh Bodden, safety Brandon McGowan and linebacker Adalius Thomas drew media crowds. "It's going to be fun, a lot of excitement," Bodden said. Added McGowan, "It's pretty cool to be playing in a Colts-Patriots game." Both Bodden and McGowan will be playing their first game in the rivalry.

Sammy Morris looks closer to return: Running back Sammy Morris, who injured his knee in the Oct. 18 win over the Titans, looks closer to a return. Morris walked through the locker room en route to the weight room just as reporters were arriving.

FOXBOROUGH -- Bits from Bill Belichick's follow-up press conference Monday at Gillette Stadium:

Dan Koppen's knee injury: Belichick did not provide an update on center Dan Koppen, who injured his knee in the second quarter and did not return. He said the next update would come Wednesday after practice when the team must submit its first participation report (4 p.m.). "He's a pretty fast healer," Belichick said, perhaps hinting that Koppen dodged a bullet. "Hopefully he'll be back out there soon."

Laurence Maroney consistently running hard: Asked if he's seen improvement from Maroney (82 yards, 20 carries, 4.1 avg., 1 TD), Belichick said that Maroney has been consistent from the start of the year. "The bottom line, I think Laurence has run the ball pretty well all year," he said. "When he's had space, he's been able to make yards. When he hasn't, he's run hard and kind of gotten what's there. He's taking care of the ball pretty well."

Wilfork at defensive end: The selflessness of nose tackle Vince Wilfork was noted, as Wilfork had switched from nose tackle to defensive end to match up against the Dolphins' best lineman, left tackle Jake Long. "He's the type of player who will do whatever he can to help the team," Belichick said, noting that Wilfork controls the front, making line calls. Belichick called Wilfork a smart player with good instincts, pointing out a play in which the Dolphins tried to trap him on a Wildcat counter, which the Patriots hadn't practiced. But Wilfork made the play anyway.

Extra points: Belichick pointed out all the defensive changes the Dolphins made, changing personnel regularly and sometimes walking different players up to the line, and seemed pleased with the overall pass protection. ... Belichick noted how all three AFC East games have come down to the wire for the Patriots this season. ... Belichick liked how the kickoff coverage and pass protection responded. ... Concerns remain in the red zone, which Belichick called "an area we need to keep working on".

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick answered with a big grin but did not provide details when asked about the severity of the knee injury that knocked starting center Dan Koppen out of Sunday's game in the second quarter.

Belichick, who seldom discusses injuries, seemed amused when a reporter asked if he knew how seriously Koppen was injured.

"I just got off the field after the game. All that stuff, it's 24-48 hours anyway before you really know," Belichick said, smiling. "He's a quick healer. He's pretty tough."

Koppen was replaced by four-year veteran Dan Connolly, a versatile player who had previously seen time at center, guard, tight end and fullback in spot duty.

"Connolly has really done a good job for us," Belichick said. "He missed the first couple games of the year, but he's really been a solid guy who has taken a big jump this year in the offseason, training camp and preseason games. He's probably one of our most improved players, and it seems like every time he has a chance to play he does a good job. I think he's getting close to battling for some playing time."

In addition to Koppen, rookie receiver Brandon Tate left the game in the second quarter with what appeared to be a left leg injury. Tate, who did not return, was in the locker room after the game but declined comment.