… Mostly sunny, warm weather set the tone for today's Patriots practice, with rain in the forecast here in New England for the next several days. The team was in shorts, shells, and helmets down on single field where the Revolution normally train.

… Moments before practice, the team announced some roster transactions. Center Dan Koppen and defensive lineman Myron Pryor were placed on injured reserve, ending their 2011 seasons. Koppen, who was listed on the injury report last week with a fibula injury, was listed as a leg injury today. Pryor has a shoulder injury, according to the team's PR department.

… Taking their places on the active roster are defensive back Phillip Adams (5-11, 192), a second-year player who appeared in 15 games for the 49ers last year, and defensive lineman Landon Cohen, who was with the Patriots at the end of last season and throughout training camp before being released. He had a cup of coffee with Seattle since then. Adams was assigned jersey number 26; Cohen has 98.

… The list of absentees from practice continues to rise. Five players weren't on the field today: cornerback Kyle Arrington (he appeared to be concussed late in the Chargers game), safety Patrick Chung, tackle Sebastian Vollmer, tight end Aaron Hernandez, and defensive lineman Mike Wright (concussion). Arrington was in the locker room this morning and spoke off-the-record with a couple of reporters. Chung left the San Diego game briefly, but returned with a cast on his right hand. Vollmer, who came back Sunday after sitting out the opener with a back ailment, is a bit of a concern. And Hernandez reportedly will miss the next two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in one of his knees (believed to be the left).

… Punter Zoltan Mesko was on the field, somewhat surprisingly, after appearing to injure his left (kicking) knee against the Chargers. Mesko rode a stationary bike on the practice sideline while his teammates ran and stretched before practice. He then worked on his punt-drop technique when the team broke into positional drills. And rookie corner Ras-I Dowling, who left the Charger game with a thigh injury and did not return to action (though he remained on the sideline in full uniform), was back on the field today.

… Practice players of the past week were rewarded again with black jerseys today (given only after victories). They were quarterback Brian Hoyer and cornerback Antwaun Molden from the active roster, and rookie linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, tight end Garrett Mills, and offensive lineman Matt Kopa from the practice squad.

…. Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row. That marks his 19 such award, second-most all-time since the award was first given in 1984. Only Peyton Manning has more with 20.

… A full locker room interview period recap will be posted on patriots.com later this afternoon.

UPDATE … 4:24 p.m.

The injury report has just been released. The five players mentioned above as being absent did not participate. Seven players were limited: linebacker Jerod Mayo (thigh), Dowling (now listed as having a hip problem), tight end Dan Gronkowski, linebacker Gary Guyton, and wide receiver Taylor Price (all hamstrings), Mesko with his knee, and o-lineman Ryan Wendell with his lingering calf injury. Safety Josh Barrett, cornerback Leigh Bodden, and linebacker Dane Fletcher all took part fully with hand/thumb injuries. Buffalo had six players miss practice Wednesday, including three starter: CB Terrence McGee (hammy), WR Stevie Johnson (groin), and guard Craig Urbik (knee).