FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather practiced Monday despite apparently injuring his knee in Thursday's preseason loss to the Rams, and wide receiver Matthew Slater participated for the first time in nearly a month.
However, wide receiver Julian Edelman, cornerback Leigh Bodden, tight end Aaron Hernandez, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, safety Bret Lockett, safety Brandon McGowan, defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, defensive lineman Ron Brace, defensive lineman Darryl Richard, defensive lineman Myron Pryor, cornerback Kyle Arrington, left guard Logan Mankins, offensive lineman Nick Kaczur and safety Josh Barrett did not participate in the media portion of practice.
Hernandez, Cunningham, Brace, Arrington and Pryor stretched with the team but departed to work out in the Dana-Farber Field House.
Linebacker Eric Alexander and wide receiver Darnell Jenkins also returned to practice after missing last week's action.
Prior to the practice, head coach Bill Belichick wryly said there was "less than zero" chance of releasing an injury report this week.
"We're into our final week of training camp," Belichick said. "It will give us a chance to straighten out a few things and then work on the Giants."
The Patriots conclude their preseason schedule Thursday in New York. Quarterback Tom Brady, wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and the rest of the team's stars aren't likely to see any game action, but Belichick expects them to prepare this week as if they were expecting to suit up.
"I tell everybody to be ready to play every week," Belichick said. "That’s what we do. Coaches control playing time. The players should be ready to play every week, regardless of the score, situation, field conditions or anything else. That’s their job. That’s their responsibility. That’s what it is every week, and that’s not going to change."
