Mayo also suffered a sprained MCL in the 2009 season opener, and rushed his return. He was not the same player for the rest of the season, so the Patriots will likely be more cautious with his recovery this time.
Mayo’s appearance, however, is a good sign that he may be ready to play after the bye, Oct. 30 in Pittsburgh.
Mayo and Green-Ellis are two of a dozen Patriots listed as questionable for the Cowboys game.The others are: Leigh Bodden (thumb), Sergio Brown (chest), Ras-I Dowling (hip), Julian Edelman (ankle), Aaron Hernandez (knee), Albert Haynesworth (back), Kyle Love (back), Matthew Slater (ribs), Sebastian Vollmer (back), and Danny Woodhead (ankle).
Vollmer could return after missing four of the first five games (rookie Nate Solder has started at right tackle in his place). Edelman, the team’s top kickoff and punt returner, could also return. With Edelman on the shelf last week against the Jets, Wes Welker fielded punts and rookie Stevan Ridley handled kickoffs.
Safety Josh Barrett, who did not practice all week because of hamstring and thumb injuries, was declared out.
Twitter rage
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who was banned from using Twitter for three weeks after losing a bet, returned with a vengeance.
Yesterday, he caused a stir when he responded with profanity to fans who criticized his play.
By last night, however, Ochocinco had removed the obscenity-laced tweets.
Yesterday in the locker room, Ochocinco said he is feeling great. “Four and one for the first time, ever,’’ he said, referring to the Patriots’ record.
Great report
It’s easy to forget that Welker ever played for a team other than the Patriots, since he’s enjoyed such success since arriving in New England. But he was a member of the Dolphins for three seasons.
While in Miami, he got to spend time with Jason Garrett, who was then the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach, and is now the Cowboys’ head coach.
