… Muggy, hazy conditions made it feel like the Patriots never left South Florida for Wednesday's Patriots practice. Today's session was a shorts, shells, and helmets affair down on the Revolution field.

… The good news on the injury front was seeing right tackle Sebastian Vollmer back on the practice field for the first time since August 30. He'd been dealing with a back injury the past week and was inactive for Monday's game.

… On the down side, center Dan Koppen, who left the Miami game with a reportedly broken left ankle, wasn't out there today, nor were defensive lineman Mike Wright, who also didn't finish the Dolphins game, and cornerback Leigh Bodden. The latter's case is curious, as he played throughout the game Monday in a rotational role and talked at length with reporters in the locker room prior to today's workout.

… In the locker room, safety Josh Barrett was seen wearing a small cast on his right hand.

… To help shore up the depth on a wounded offensive line, the team today signed Donald Thomas, a UConn product and Connecticut native, who spent a couple of years in Miami and last season in Detroit. Thomas was given jersey number 64. They also released Thomas Welch, who was called up from the practice squad prior to the Monday nighter. In addition, New England added rookie linebacker Jeff Tarpinian (cut Monday to make room for Welch) to the practice squad, along with re-signing tight end Garrett Mills to the practice squad. Rookie defensive lineman Aaron Lavarias was let loose to make room for Mills.

… The black shirts returned for the first time this season. You may recall those are giving, only following victories, to the players who best helped prepare the team in practice the prior week. Today's recipients were wide receiver Julian Edelman and linebacker A.J. Edds on the active roster, and two practice squadders: safety Ross Ventrone and offensive lineman Matt Kopa.

… Very active locker room interview period today. In addition to QB Tom Brady, we heard from Bodden, as indicated earlier, Koppen's replacement, Dan Connolly, and several other players (including a second chance encounter with Edds). A full report will be up on patriots.com shortly.