FOXBORO -- Running back Rex Burkhead (ribs) missed his fourth consecutive practice today when the Patriots returned to work to begin their preparations for the Panthers.
Burkhead has not hit the practice field since suffering the injury against the Saints, and he was the lone absentee from the first workout of the week.
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower (sprained knee), special teams captain Matthew Slater (hamstring), cornerback Eric Rowe (groin) and right tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion, ankle) all practiced despite missing the victory against the Texans.