For the first time this season, the Patriots practiced on the Gillette Stadium game field, a similar surface to what they'll face this Sunday in Baltimore.
Two players weren't out there, however: left tackle Nate Solder (concussion), who could not finish the Dolphins game this past week, and rookie wide receiver Josh Boyce. Solder suffered his injury a week earlier, late in the Browns game, but was able to play three quarters of the Miami game a few days ago. But he was out the entire fourth quarter, being replaced by left guard Logan Mankins (rookie Josh Kline slid in for Mankins).
It's unclear what kept Boyce out of today's session. Meanwhile, New England's two other rookie pass catchers continued to practice, even though both Aaron Dobson (left foot) and Kenbrell Thompkins (left hip) have missed recent games (Dobson the past three, Thompkins the last two).
