Starting Center Bryan Stork Returns to Patriots' Practice

During the second quarter of the New England Patriots' Divisional Round playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, rookie center Bryan Stork injured his knee. The injury forced him to miss the rest of the contest as well as the Patriots' subsequent playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.

In Stork's absence, starting right guard Ryan Wendell filled the center-role, while second year man Josh Kline started the AFC Championship Game at Wendell's original spot.

There was a lot of speculation about the severity of Stork's injury and if he would be able to participate in the Super Bowl after missing all practices leading up to the Colts game as well as being listed as a non-participant on yesterday's injury report (even though the team did not actually practice).

However, the rookie out of Florida State returned to practice today; his first session since the initial injury.

We will not know the grade of his participation until the team releases another official injury report, but the fact that Stork is on the practice field is a good sign of his progress. According to the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels, "Stork seemed to be moving fine" and without a "noticeable limp".