"Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas was present for the team's walkthrough practice yesterday, two days after being a healthy scratch for the first time since his rookie season in 2000.

Coach Bill Belichick was asked how things will proceed with Thomas this week.

"Everything's the same for every player,'' Belichick said. "They've all got the same job: come in, learn the game plan, be ready to go. Substitutions and playing time are all coaches' decisions; they're not players' decisions."