Vince Wilfork missed his third consecutive practice on Friday, sidelined with a foot injury. Ty Warren also missed Friday's session with an ankle injury. Both were listed as questionable.
But while the defensive line is in rough shape heading into a virtual must-win in Buffalo, the backfield got a boost as running back Fred Taylor returned to practice after sitting out on Wednesday.
"I feel great," Taylor told the Boston Herald. "Just trying to get myself back on the field. Whatever direction the staff, the coaches, the trainers feel I need to take so I can be ready, that's what I do."
Taylor told the Herald that if the team was desperate, he could probably play, but as it stands now, he is playing it safe. For Sunday's game, he is officially listed as questionable.
"I'll be out there one day, seeing how it feels, then I'm to rest it, making sure it doesn't flare up, this and that," he said. "Then, whatever the results are, we do a little more the next day. It's a process and it's getting better each time. Just an improvement is motivating."
Filling out the rest of the injury report, Tom Brady had limited participation for the second straight day after missing Wednesday's session, and he was listed as probable. Ten other players were listed as being limited as well. Leigh Bodden, who was not on the injury report all week, was added with a thigh injury.
The team practiced on the game field at Gillette Stadium in frigid temperatures, as much of the same is expected Sunday in Buffalo. Weather.com forecasts a high of 27 degrees.
For the Bills, Terrell Owens (illness) and Kendall Simmons (shoulder) did not participate. Owens is listed as questionable, while Simmons is out. Jairus Byrd, the NFL's leader in interceptions with nine, was listed as probable with a groin injury.
