FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker missed his first practice of the regular season Wednesday due to a neck injury that he likely suffered from a hit by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
However, Welker spoke with the New York media on a conference call Wednesday, which is typically an indication that his injury shouldn't be serious enough to keep him out of Sunday's game against the Giants.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman attended practice a day after appearing court to face an indecent assault and battery charge for allegedly groping a woman at a nightclub. Edelman was also a healthy scratch Sunday for the first time in his three-year career.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said the team's policy is not to disclose any internal discipline, so there won't be any announcements as to whether or not Edelman will be suspended due to the incident.
Linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb) was also missing from Wednesday's practice.
Tight end Aaron Hernandez returned to the injury report with his knee ailment that kept him out of two games. He appeared to tweak it in Pittsburgh and was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Safety Josh Barrett (thumb), defensive end Shaun Ellis (rib), running back Kevin Faulk (knee), running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) and tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back) were also limited.
