… Chillier temps than yesterday, but still sunny when the Patriots at their first practice of Colts Week. Players were in helmets, shells, and sweats for the workout, which was outside on the double fields where training camp is normally held.

… Tough luck for linebacker Brandon Spikes (right knee), who was at yesterday's walkthrough, but didn't suit up for the start of practice today. He and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/right foot) were the only ones absent.

… For the second straight day, linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb) was in uniform. He did, however, still have a cast on that right thumb and politely declined to be interviewed today.

… Relatively quiet day in the locker room, as far as interviews are concerned. TE Rob Gronkowski entertained questions for a few minutes and took the opportunity to point out the positives for the 0-11 Colts, whom the Patriots face this Sunday. "We see a lot of good players. They have good d-ends," he said. "They're a really fast team. We have to go out there, execute, play hard. It doesn't matter what records are. It's the NFL. Every team has good players." Those d-ends are, of course, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, and there's one aspect of their game that frightens Gronk most, he claims. "Their speed and their quickness," he declared. "You have to be aware of where they're going to make a move at all times – if they're going to go inside, outside, put the spin move on you … they have so much speed."

… Rookie DB Sterling Moore also talked to reporters about his development since arriving in Foxborough two months ago. He has since gone from a practice squad afterthought to a starter in the secondary, largely due to injuries to regular players, but also because of his abilities. "It's one thing to see the game plan and everything on paper," Moore said. "But once you get out there, it's been a couple of weeks now, so I'm starting to get a little bit more comfortable with that."

… QB Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November, the fifth time in his career that he's earned the honor. He threw for 300 yards or more in three of four games last month.

… A full injury status update, for both the Patriots and Colts, will be posted around 4 p.m. here in this blog entry.

UPDATE … 4:15 P.M.

… RBs Danny Woodhead (abdomen) and rookie Shane Vereen (hamstring) have been added to New England's injury report.

… Vollmer and Spikes did not take part at all in today's practice. Spikes had been limited the previous day in a walkthrough session.

… There were no other changes to New England's list: safety Patrick Chung (right foot), C Dan Connolly (groin), WR/DB/returner Julian Edelman (back), Fletcher, LB Gary Guyton (shoulder), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), LT Matt Light (right ankle), cornerback Devin McCourty (right shoulder), CB Antwaun Molden (concussion), WR Chad Ochocinco (hamstring), WR Taylor Price (hamstring), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder), and third-string center Ryan Wendell (calf) were limited, while right guard Brian Waters (left knee) was a full participant.

… Just a few changes to Indy's injury report. Guard Joe Reitz, a full participant yesterday with a knee issue, did not practice at all today. Center Jeff Saturday, meanwhile (also a knee), was back at full strength after missing yesterday's workout in Indiana. Freeney was back at work, too, after getting what was described as a day of rest yesterday. Seems Mathis got his rest day today. He's listed as not having practiced due to non-injury reasons. The rest of Indy's report is the same as yesterday.