by Sports Xchange

Likewise, the possible return of Matt Light at left tackle could push rookie Sebastian Vollmer back into a reserve role.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Tully Banta-Cain did not practice Thursday due to a groin injury sustained in Sunday's loss to Indianapolis. His status for Sunday is in doubt.

--G Stephen Neal reported no side effects from the head injury he suffered Sunday, though he still didn't practice Thursday, so it's unlikely he'll be ready for this weekend's game.

--WR Julian Edelman participated in a limited portion of Thursday's practice. He returned to the field last week and should be good to go barring any setbacks.

--RB Sammy Morris was limited in practice Thursday due to his knee injury, but it doesn't appear he'll be ready to make his return to the lineup this weekend.

--LB Rob Ninkovich is suffering from a knee injury and did not practice Thursday. He injured himself last weekend and may be unavailable for Sunday's game.

--WR Isaiah Stanback switched from No. 8 to No. 15. Stanback contributed slightly in the loss to Indianapolis despite just joining the team last week.

--DB Bret Lockett wore a yellow No. 57 jersey during practice Wednesday, indicating he's impersonating Jets LB Bart Scott on the scout team.

GAME PLAN: The Patriots are facing a totally different dynamic this weekend against the Jets. After dealing with Peyton Manning's rocket arm last week, they'll now be forced to deal with the league's top rushing team.

Likewise, Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled in recent weeks, so the Patriots will likely make him try to beat them, unlike last week when they tried their best to keep the ball out of Manning's hands.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. Patriots WR Randy Moss. Revis may be the only cornerback over the final seven games capable of holding Moss to fewer than 100 yards. Moss has been explosive of late, so this is an important matchup. His nine-catch performance nearly sank the Colts, and the Jets don't have the same firepower, so it's imperative they keep Moss in check.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick vs. Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Belichick rarely loses to rookie quarterbacks, but if he does, he almost never loses to them twice in the same season. Sanchez had a strong performance in the Week 2 victory against New England, so Belichick will have to come up with an even craftier game plan the second time around to even the season series.

Jets RB Thomas Jones vs. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo. Jones has had a great year and the Jets will probably try to establish the run early, so it's up to Mayo to set the tone defensively and be the run-stopper he's paid to be. The less Jones does, the more Sanchez has to throw, which would work out in the Patriots' favor.

INJURY IMPACT: Not having Jarvis Green and Ty Warren for the second week in a row would severely limit the Patriots' ability to rush the passer and get creative with their blitz packages against Sanchez. Having one of those two return makes Belichick's playbook a bit more expansive, but only time will tell if the injury situation up front will improve by Sunday afternoon.