For the second day in a row, Danny Amendola was not on the practice field for the Patriots during the half-hour window in which the media was allowed to watch.

Conflicting media reports have begun to circulate, with one side saying the veteran pass catcher is simply being kept out for routine body maintenance, while another indicates that he is in fact dealing with an injury suffered against Tampa Bay last Friday night.

When asked about Amendola's status today, head coach Bill Belichick offered a predictable "He's day-to-day" answer.

Elsewhere around Gillette Stadium today:

…In addition to Amendola, the same five other players who were not seen Monday were not suited up for the start of Tuesday's practice: rookie wide receiver Mark Harrison (NFI/foot), rookie cornerback Brandon Jones, tight end Rob Gronkowski (PUP/arm, back), defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, and defensive lineman Armond Armstead (NFI/illness).

…Harrison was later seen in shorts and a t-shirt working on the lower practice field with assistant strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera on rehab exercises. Joining them were a half-dozen other Patriots: wide receiver Kamar Aiken, cornerbacks Ras-I Dowling and Alfonzo Dennard, o-lineman Marcus Cannon, tight end Daniel Fells, and defensive end Justin Francis.

…NFL Players Association boss DeMaurice Smith paid a visit to practice, watching from the sideline. He was escorted onto the field by owner Robert Kraft.

…Players are scheduled to answer media questions after practice, around 4 p.m.

…New England will conduct a walkthrough practice on Wednesday, then fly to Detroit in the afternoon for Thursday's game with the Lions at Ford Field.