FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots got some familiar faces back to practice Monday, but they were also missing a few key names.
Cornerback Leigh Bodden and linebacker Gary Guyton rejoined the team after each player missed more than two weeks of padded practices due to knee injuries. Bodden had been sidelined since Aug. 5, and Guyton hadn’t practiced since he went down Aug. 1.
"I'm definitely happy to be out there," Bodden said. "It's been a long time. It feels like months [since] I've been out there, but I was good to come out here, see how it feels and get back going to where I left off at."
However, wide receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Aaron Hernandez — who are each tied for the team lead with seven preseason receptions — did not participate in the session, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Field House due to the driving rainstorm that was close to turning Foxboro into Atlantis. Edelman was absent entirely, and Hernandez was wearing a sleeve over his right knee and working out to the side.
Wide receiver Matthew Slater, safety Bret Lockett, offensive lineman Nick Kaczur, wide receiver Darnell Jenkins, linebacker Eric Alexander, offensive lineman Mark LeVoir, outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, left guard Logan Mankins, safety Josh Barrett and defensive lineman Kade Weston were not in attendance, either. Weston was reportedly waived, but the team made no announcement.
Offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, who wore No. 68, participated in his first practice with the Patriots after being acquired from the Falcons. Also, rookie safety Ross Ventrone was back with the team after getting released last week.
The Patriots also released cornerback Terrence Johnson, who hadn’t participated in practice since July 31.
