FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots appeared to be resting a couple of their star players during Wednesday's practice, as quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Wes Welker were among the five absentees.
Brady (left shoulder) and Welker (knee) were on last week's injury report. Brady missed one practice last week and was limited in two others, and he was also not present for the media segments of each practice during the team's Week 7 bye week.
Left guard Logan Mankins (knee), right tackle Sebastian Vollmer (foot, back) and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon were also absent from the team's first postseason practice, which was held in sweats and shells on the Gillette Stadium game field.
