FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty returned to practice Saturday, which should give the Chiefs something to think about as they head into Monday night's game at Gillette Stadium.
There's still no guarantee McCourty will play Monday, but his participation in Saturday's practice at least opens the possibility. McCourty injured his shoulder Sunday against the Jets, and he missed the Patriots' first three practices of the week.
Linebackers Brandon Spikes (knee), Dane Fletcher (thumb) and Jeff Tarpinian (illness) did not practice Saturday. Spikes and Fletcher missed all four practices this week, which essentially rules them out of the game against the Chiefs. Tarpinian missed his second straight practice, so his status for Monday is up in the air.
The Patriots practiced in sweats and shells for the 27th time out of 36 regular-season practices.
Due to the NFL's new rules, teams were limited to 11 full-pads practices in the first 11 weeks of the regular season, and the Patriots only practiced in full pads eight times. They did not practice in full pads during Weeks 2, 3, 7 and 11, and they practiced twice in full pads in Week 1.
Going forward, teams will only be permitted to practice in full pads three times in the final six weeks of the regular season.
