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PHILADELPHIA -- Patriots right tackle Sebastian Vollmer suffered a right ankle injury late in the first half and did not immediately return to the sideline to start the second half. The team classified his return as questionable.

Vollmer grabbed at his right foot in discomfort late in the first half and, despite staying in the game, he was checked out by trainers on the sideline after the Patriots generated a field goal to open a 24-13 lead. He returned to the field for a final kneeldown, but hobbled off at halftime.

He was replaced by rookie tackle Nate Solder to start the second half.

UPDATE: Vollmer was spotted leaving the stadium with a walking boot on his right foot.

Inactive for five of New England's first six games this season due to a back injury, Patriots offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer appears to be returning to the form that made him a second-team All-Pro last season.

Vollmer looked shaky while returning to the field in Week 8 against the Steelers. He rotated at right tackle with rookie Nate Solder, but allowed both a quarterback pressure and a sack in just 38 snaps. He's turned it on in a hurry ever since. Over 148 snaps the past two weeks against the Giants and Jets, Vollmer has allowed no sacks and just one quarterback pressure and one quarterback hit, according to stats logged by analytical site Pro Football Focus.

Vollmer, who was shaken up briefly against the Jets, but missed only a handful of plays, was on the field when the Jets generated a safety in Sunday's game. He seemed to expect a potential blitz from the outside and potentially could have done more to slow the defensive end, but it was running back Danny Woodhead who ultimately failed to pick up the rush that forced quarterback Tom Brady to throw the ball away in the end zone.

Asked about Vollmer's progress on Tuesday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick offered praise for his recent performances.

"I think Sebastian has done a good job for us," said Belichick. "He’s gotten a lot of reps since the bye week. It seems like he kind of turned the corner. I mean he was improving steadily, but it looked like he was finally able to turn the corner there around the bye week and after the bye week. It’s good to have him out there. He’s certainly a good player, one of our best players. He’s a physical player, he’s long, he really does most everything well on the field.

"It’s good to have him back out there. It certainly makes us a better football team now that he’s back on the field. Not that Nate [Solder], I’m not saying that as any commentary about Nate because Nate’s done a good job for us too, I’m saying having another good football player and, at times, all three of them are out there with Nate, Matt [Light] and Sebastian, that’s good too."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots third-year offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer deemed himself "day-to-day" with a lingering back injury that kept him out of Monday's season-opener in Miami. Vollmer returned to practice this week and said he's hopeful he can be back on the field during Sunday's home-opener against the San Diego Chargers.

Vollmer underwent surgery on his back during his sophomore year at the University of Houston, which makes the current injury an area of concern, but he sidestepped a question on if the two were related.

"I’m only looking forward," said Vollmer. "It’s day-to-day, we’ll see what happens."

Rookie tackle Nate Solder, who started in Vollmer's place Monday, had said earlier this week that it was Vollmer's starting gig and he was happy just to fill in. The two locker neighbors appear to be fast friends, with Solder playfully lobbing tape at Vollmer as he departed for the practice field on Friday.

Asked if Solder's solid play surprised him, Vollmer said, "I don't think surprise is the right word. You expect certain things and he stepped up to the plate and had a good game."

If Vollmer is able to get back on the field Sunday, Belichick hinted all three tackles could play, which might lead to a rotation at right tackle position in order to ease Vollmer back in, while generating additional game reps for Solder.

Vollmer did note that there's little you can do to speed up the injury recovery process, even as frustrating at it can be to see teammates go down, like center Dan Koppen, who broke his ankle in Monday's opener.

"You never want to see anyone get hurt -- on our team or the opponent's team," said Vollmer. "Obviously, [Koppen] has been here for a long time and played some good football. It's tough, but then the other Dan [Connolly] stepped in and played good. That's what it's all about."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh admitted his team had Patriots rookie tackle Sebastian Vollmer high on its draft board, but didn't give the German-born lineman much consideration after selecting Michael Oher with the 23rd overall selection.

Yet as the Patriots and Ravens prepare for Sunday's wild-card clash at Gillette Stadium, the similarities between the players weren't lost on Harbaugh.

"I don't know how often that happens, I'd like to see a stat or history on that," Harbaugh said during a conference call with the New England media, referencing Oher's switch from starting right tackle to left tackle this season. Vollmer performed similar duties in New England because of injuries to starters Matt Light and Nick Kaczur at various times during the season.

"For a rookie to come in, start, play really well, then go to other side and start -- making a seamless transition from the left to the right -- it says a lot about his talent and work ethic. That's double the reps, footwork wise, and also to understand the mental aspect, that's a smart guy.


"We really liked Sebastian coming out [of the University of Houston]," Harbaugh said. "We had him high on our draft board. Once we got Michael, that preempted that. [Patriots coach] Bill [Belichick] drafted him pretty high, but [Vollmer's] a very smart guy, a very hard worker. And he's huge."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Quick-hit thoughts from the Patriots’ inactive players:

1. Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork hoped to play, as he worked out for trainers in the 10 o’clock hour, but his injured foot is not ready. This is another reason why the Patriots would benefit greatly from clinching a playoff berth today so a player like Wilfork could have three weeks of rest heading into the playoffs.

2. Defensive lineman Ty Warren is active, but will not start. The Patriots will apparently see how the game unfolds in terms of how they use Warren. Mike Wright is expected to start at left end, with rookie Ron Brace or Myron Pryor at nose tackle.

3. Running back Fred Taylor is active for the first time since Oct. 4, when he injured his right ankle. The Patriots deactivated BenJarvus Green-Ellis, so they’ll need to juggle some parts on special teams.

4. With offensive lineman Nick Kaczur (shoulder) inactive, rookie Sebastian Vollmer will start at right tackle.

5. Cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Darius Butler are inactive, which is partially a result of special teams considerations. Cornerback Kyle Arrington has been impressive on special teams, so he gets the nod and is bumped up the depth chart on defense because of it.

6. Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, one of the team’s best defenders, is active. He was questionable with a groin injury.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Some quick-hit thoughts from the Patriots’ inactive players:

1. Quarterback Tom Brady, who was questionable with right shoulder/right finger/rib injuries, is active as expected.

2. Rookie offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (head) and rookie receiver Julian Edelman (forearm) are active after both did not play in the last two games.

3. Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs, who did not play in the team’s last four games, is active.

4. With interior sub rusher Myron Pryor (chest) out, the Patriots have Titus Adams replacing him on the 45-man game-day roster. With Ron Brace also inactive, the team has Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Jarvis Green, Mike Wright and Adams atop the defensive line depth chart.

5. With special teams captain Sam Aiken inactive, Edelman projects as the No. 3 receiver. Aiken’s special teams duties will likely be split up, with safety Pat Chung one player to watch in some of those key roles.

6. On the offensive line, the Patriots have a different group -- position-wise -- than they have had all season. With Stephen Neal (ankle) and Rich Ohrnberger inactive, the Patriots don’t have a “pure” interior backup. Instead, they have two tackles as backups. In the event that a starting guard or center is injured, the Patriots would likely have to make multiple changes. Nick Kaczur is one option at guard in the event of an emergency.

7. Running back Fred Taylor, who warmed up for about an hour before the game, was deemed not ready for action. It appeared that he was a game-time decision as he continues his recovery from right ankle surgery.

Rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer, who sustained a head injury in last week’s game, is not active for tonight’s contest against the Saints. Veteran Matt Light is likely to return to the starting spot at left tackle as he is active for the first time since injuring his right knee Oct. 11.

With rookie receiver Julian Edelman the third quarterback, if he plays before the fourth quarter that would mean that Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer – the top two quarterbacks – are ineligible to play. So it will be a limited role for Edelman (forearm injury) tonight.

Meanwhile, running back Sammy Morris is active for the first time since injuring his knee Oct. 18 and defensive lineman Jarvis Green is active for the first time since undergoing knee surgery during the bye week. That should help the Patriots in the run game -- offensively and defensively.

A couple of more points of analysis from the Patriots’ inactive players:

1) Linebacker Junior Seau, whose pre-game speeches have motivated players in recent weeks, is inactive for the first time since signing with the team. That thrusts Eric Alexander one notch up the depth chart behind Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton at inside linebacker.

2) With defensive backs Kyle Arrington and Shawn Springs inactive, the Patriots have Jonathan Wilhite, Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler and Terrence Wheatley as their top corners. Wheatley gets the nod over Springs because of his special teams contributions (e.g. kickoff returns).

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Saints are without starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (groin) and Tracy Porter (knee), which is a major development against the Patriots' 1-2 combination of Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

Former Patriot Randall Gay and rookie Malcolm Jenkins are expected to start.

The Patriots figured to spread the field and test the Saints' depth at corner regardless, but this could lead them even more so in that direction.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., -- The Patriots are practicing inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon and rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer was not present for the start of the session, casting doubt on his availability for Monday's game in New Orleans.

Vollmer sustained a head injury in last Sunday's win over the Jets, although he returned to action in that game.

Vollmer, who did not practice Friday, has started the team's last five games.

If Vollmer does not play Monday, veteran Matt Light would likely slide back in at left tackle. Light has been out since injuring his right knee in the second half of the team's loss in Denver Oct. 11, but appears close to a return. Swing tackle Mark LeVoir is another possibility.

Veteran running back Fred Taylor (ankle) was the other player not spotted at the start of practice, while rookie receiver Julian Edelman (forearm) returned after missing Friday's session.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., -- There was mixed news regarding injured Patriots offensive linemen Friday, as starting right guard Stephen Neal (head) was participating at the start of practice while rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer (head) was not present.

Furthermore, starting right tackle Nick Kaczur, who played through what appeared to be an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Jets, looked like he was battling through pain.

Although nothing is set in stone, Mark LeVoir worked at right tackle, while Matt Light was at left tackle.

With a noisy environment expected Monday night, the Patriots' offensive line will be tested while working with a silent snap count. The unit's makeup figures to be an important pre-game storyline.

Neal did not play last Sunday against the Jets, while Vollmer was injured during the game but returned to action.

Rookie receiver Julian Edelman (forearm), running back Fred Taylor (ankle) and Vollmer (head) were the three players not spotted at the start of practice, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse.

Patriots rookie Sebastian Vollmer returned to his spot at left tackle to start the second half.

Vollmer, filling in for injured Matt Light (knee), suffered a head injury in the first quarter and missed the entire second quarter. Mark LeVoir filled in for Vollmer.

After talking with line coach Dante Scarnecchia and trainers at the start of the second half, Vollmer started stretching. He was back at left tackle on New England's first possession of the third quarter.

With left tackle Sebastian Vollmer leaving the game with a head injury early in the second quarter, and his return questionable, the Patriots are down to six blockers on their 45-man game-day roster.

Mark LeVoir enters as the left tackle. If LeVoir or right tackle Nick Kaczur are injured at any point, it would require a reshuffling along the line.

The likely scenario would have left guard Logan Mankins kicking out to tackle, with Rich Ohrnberger entering the game at guard.

Patriots rookie Sebastian Vollmer, already filling in for injured left tackle Matt Light (knee), suffered a head injury towards the end of the first quarter.

Vollmer was examined by trainers during the Jets' first offensive series of the second quarter. When the Patriots' offense came back on the field, Mark LeVoir took over at left tackle.

The Patriots deemed Vollmer's return questionable.

FOXBOROUGH -- With Matt Light close to returning to action -- he's been out since injuring his right knee Oct. 11 against the Broncos -- the question is how that would potentially shake up the lineup.

In "Bruschi's Breakdown", former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi made the point that a rotation is likely in the short term.

"In the past, when a player has had a long layoff, they are worked back into the rotation. Sebastian Vollmer has been playing so well lately, there isn't really a reason to immediately take him out of the starting lineup. If Vollmer wasn't playing as well, I'd say put Light in there now, but with Light coming back from a serious knee injury, to work him back gradually would be the right thing to do. When Light gets those game reps under his belt again, and starts to feel 100 percent, that's when the Patriots' coaches will have a tough decision to make. As of now, my sense is that Light will work back into the lineup in a situational role."

Friday at Gillette Stadium, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked if Light might be a fit at right tackle. The thinking might have been that with Vollmer playing well, perhaps Light could be inserted into the mix on the right side.

Belichick's answer made me think it wasn't a likely option.

"I'm not saying he can't do it, but I think he's better on the left side," he said.

So in the end, the feeling here is that Light will rotate in at left tackle when he returns to action -- probably Sunday -- and then a more definitive decision at the position will come either against the Saints or Dolphins.

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss spotlights a potential New England Patriots storyline this week: If Matt Light is close to returning from injury, does he return to his starting left tackle spot or do the Patriots stick with rookie Sebastian Vollmer, who has excelled in a fill-in role? Most notably, Vollmer helped to slow Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney on Sunday.

Check out the video below:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer making his third career start Sunday, all eyes were on how he would fare against Dolphins outside linebackers Joey Porter and Jason Taylor.

The results were impressive, as Vollmer had quarterback Tom Brady's blind side well protected in the Patriots' 27-17 win.

Porter, who ran his mouth before the game but was nowhere to be found afterward, wasn't around to comment on Vollmer's play. The classy Taylor was.

"He'll be fine, he's a big kid, a big guy," Taylor said of Vollmer. "I didn't get a whole lot of look at him, but from what I've seen on tape and in person, he'll be just fine."

The Dolphins lamented their lack of overall pressure, which was a compliment to the Patriots' offensive line of Vollmer, left guard Logan Mankins, centers Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly, right guard Stephen Neal, and right tackle Nick Kaczur.

Tight ends Chris Baker, Benjamin Watson and Mark LeVoir, as well as the team's running backs -- Laurence Maroney, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk -- also contributed in protection.

"We didn't get enough pass rush in some of the situations out there," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "You got to get pressure on Tom, and we weren't able to do that, and you are asking guys to hold up for a long period of time. We need to have more pressure on the quarterback."

Said Patriots coach Bill Belichick: "I thought Tom had good time to throw. We got hit a couple times, but that was more when we held the ball and the coverage was there as opposed to just breakdowns in the protection."