After sitting out the first eight weeks of the season following their relegation to the "physically unable to perform" list, veteran running back Kevin Faulk and former Boston College defensive tackle Ron Brace were both activated and were on the practice field for the New England Patriots for the first time this season.
Faulk had pondered retirement after suffering a torn ACL during the 2010 season. There was some thought that there might not be room on the roster for him as the team has shown progress in the running game that it hadn't in recent years.
Ron Brace has struggled since being selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft out of Boston College. Brace had been quoted as saying that he had been using this time to get himself in better shape and to give himself the chance to make an impact in the NFL that he hadn't done yet.
Brace tore an elbow ligament late last season in a game against the Buffalo Bills.