FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tedy Bruschi returned to practice
Thursday with a cast on his surgically repaired right wrist and was
listed as questionable for the New England Patriots' season opener
Sunday against Buffalo.
The inside linebacker, who broke his wrist on the fourth day of
training camp July 31, was on the field for the stretching period
that was open to the media. The injury report issued later Thursday
said Bruschi missed a portion of the practice.
Bruschi, entering his 11th season, missed the first six games
last year after suffering a stroke the previous February. But he
played well enough in 10 games to be the co-Comeback Player of the
Year with Carolina's Steve Smith.
After Bruschi broke his wrist this summer, the Patriots signed
17-year veteran Junior Seau to play inside linebacker four days
after he announced his retirement.
"He's getting better every day," coach Bill Belichick said of
Bruschi before practice. "He's day to day."
Even when he was away from the field, Bruschi was involved in
team meetings and helped Seau get acclimated to the defense.
"Tedy has been very involved in everything and he's great about
that, just like he was last year with some of the new guys that
have played in there," Belichick said. "Overall, it's a good
group and they work well together and that includes all of them.
Tedy is a big part of that."
He also said there's no doubt Bruschi would play with a cast
when he returns.
Rookie wide receiver Chad Jackson also returned to practice
after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury. He
missed part of Thursday's session and was listed as questionable
for Sunday. Tackle Nick Kaczur also was questionable with a
shoulder injury.
Quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder), wide receiver Doug Gabriel
(hamstring) and guard Stephen Neal (ankle) were listed as probable.
Brady was listed as probable with a shoulder injury nearly all last
season, but played every game.