Seymour Practices; Don't Expect Much .. Yet
Patriots Injury Report Thins Out

As most fans know by now, Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour returned to practice Wednesday after missing the entire preseason and all of the regular season so far. While that bodes well for the future, don't expect much just yet.

There's little chance Seymour, who has missed what Bill Belichick estimates to be about 60 or 70 practices, cannot realistically be in midseason shape nor be expected to compete at midseason game speed. I think there's little chance he'll play this Sunday (the Patriots have yet to name him to the active roster), and I doubt he'll play against Indianapolis in Week 9.

With the bye week in Week 10, I think it's more likely Seymour will see time (probably limited) at Buffalo in Week 11.

Otherwise, the Patriots injury report has thinned out since last week. Tight end Ben Watson, who sprained an ankle in the Dallas game two weeks ago, has yet to practice this week, and I would expect him to be sidelined at least this week. The same goes for running back Sammy Morris, who was injured in the same game but stands to be out longer.

Safety Eugene Wilson injured an ankle last week against Miami, and he too has sat out both practices this week.

Meanwhile, a bunch of players came off the report, including cornerback Randall Gay, running back Laurence Maroney, wide receivers Donté Stallworth and Kelley Washington, linebacker Adalius Thomas, guard Stephen Neal and defensive end Mike Wright.

Washington's only injury of note is cornerback Fred Smoot, who has been limited in practice both days this week.

Here is the full report: