FOXBORO, Mass. — Five Patriots missed Wednesday's practice, the highest absentee list since their first session of the regular season.
Safety Patrick Chung (hand), tight end Aaron Hernandez (knee), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back), cornerback Kyle Arrington and defensive lineman Mike Wright (concussion) missed practice. Chung, Hernandez and Arrington were all injured Sunday against the Chargers. Arrington got hit hard on the sideline and was woozy heading back to the bench, but he appeared to be in good spirits after the game and in the locker room Wednesday.
Cornerback Ras-I Dowling left Sunday's game with an apparent right hamstring injury, but he was present Wednesday. Punter Zoltan Mesko injured his knee against the Chargers, and he was on the stationary bike while the rest of the team was going through their running warmups. Mesko then resumed his typical early-practice routine.
Quarterback Brian Hoyer, tight end Garrett Mills, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, cornerback Antwaun Molden and offensive lineman Matt Kopa were wearing the black jerseys for being named practice players of the week.
The Patriots were in shorts and shells once again. They haven't practiced in full pads since Sept. 8.
Prior to practice, the Patriots placed center Dan Koppen (fibula) and defensive lineman Myron Pryor (shoulder) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Newly-signed defensive lineman Landon Cohen and defensive back Phillip Adams practiced Wednesday.
