A year after allowing just 21 sacks all season, the Patriots have already given up 20 in just five games this year.
Only the 49ers and Lions have allowed more. But help could be on the way.
Starting guard Stephen Neal and free-agent addition Oliver Ross, who has experience at both tackle spots, each participated in practice for the first time yesterday after beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list.
Players on the PUP list cannot start practicing until after the sixth week of the season, and once they return to the field, the club has 21 days to put them on the active roster, release them or end their season by placing them on injured reserve.
Neal, a seven-year veteran who has started 52 games for the Patriots, is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery as well as a knee injury suffered, while Ross has been sidelined with a collarbone injury.
"I'm just excited to have the opportunity to practice today and have the coaches evaluate and see where I'm at," said Neal. "Hopefully I can do something.
"It's been frustrating," added Neal. "Whenever you see all your buddies go to practice and (play in) games, you definitely want to be out there."
When asked if the injury might have a silver lining by keeping him fresh for the stretch run, Neal quipped, "Maybe so, but there's a lot of good and bad. I'll probably have a lot of rust with that silver."
Ross, who spent the bulk of his 11-year career with Pittsburgh and Arizona before signing with New England in June, has to get back into playing shape while also learning how to play alongside a new set of teammates.
"It's the first time going out there in a while, so you get to knock the rust off and move around a little bit," said Ross. "I have a lot of experience, but I have to get in there and get on the same page as the other guys."
Ross, a 6-foot-4, 327-pounder, brings some versatility to the Pats, as he's played both right tackle and left tackle in the past.
"He's played both sides," said coach Bill Belichick. "He has some position flexibility. ... He's blocked a lot of people in this league. He's big and pretty athletic."
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While Neal and Ross returned to the practice field, fellow lineman Matt Light was among the seven Patriots who did not participate in yesterday's workout. The Pro Bowl left tackle was listed with a knee injury on the injury report.
Also not participating were running backs Laurance Maroney (shoulder) and LaMont Jordan (calf), wide receiver Kelley Washington (ankle) and linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring), all of whom did not play Sunday at San Diego.
Right tackle Nick Kaczur and defensive lineman Jarvis Green also sat out practice. They were each carted off the field in San Diego with ankle injuries. ...
Denver had a whopping 16 players listed on its injury report, though only linebacker Boss Bailey (ankle) and wide receiver Brandon Stokely (concussion) did not participate in practice ...
The Pats signed wide receiver Maurice Price to their practice squad. Price was originally signed by New England on Sept. 24 after being cut by Kansas City, but was not active against San Francisco and was released before the San Diego game when running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis was promoted from the practice squad.
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According to an Associated Press report from the owners' meeting in Florida, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the Raiders do not plan to file tampering charges against the Patriots. During a rambling press conference earlier this month to announce the firing of Oakland coach Lane Kiffin, Raiders owner Al Davis had accused the Pats of working out Randy Moss before the teams had completed a trade for the receiver during the 2007 draft. Belichick had denied the claim. ...
Monday's meeting between the Pats and the Broncos will mark the 600th game in the history of the Monday Night Football franchise. The primetime series began with a 31-21 Browns win over the Jets on Sept. 21, 1970. ...
Monday will also mark the return to Foxboro of tight end Daniel Graham. The Patriots' first-round pick in 2002, Graham spent five seasons in New England before signing as a free agent with the Broncos in 2007. The 6-3, 257-pounder built a reputation as an elite blocker with the Pats, and has continued to excel in that role in Denver.
"I think Dan has been a pretty consistent player throughout his career," said Belichick. "I think he's playing for them about how he played for us. He is a solid run blocker and a real tough kid."
