Dan Connolly

The Patriots continued to tweak their roster on Thursday, coming to terms with center Dan Connolly, according to a league source, and signing defensive back Steve Gregory. They also announced the signing of defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, who lasted with the club for one day last October. Re-signing Connolly, who had offers elsewhere, likely spells the end of Dan Koppen's nine-year career with the Patriots. Koppen, a free agent, missed nearly all of last season after breaking his ankle in the regular-season opener against the Dolphins.

FOXBOROUGH - The last time Dan Koppen was spotted in a Patriots uniform, he was being carted off the field at Miami's Sun Life Stadium last September with a fractured left ankle. Less than two quarters after the season began, Koppen's was over. He was back on the field Thursday - the practice field behind Gillette Stadium - taking part in the Patriots' third organized team activity, and the first that was open to the media. Following the two-hour workout, Koppen said he's healthy, hungry for action after missing last season, and happy to still be a Patriot.

INDIANAPOLIS - The number of times Dan Connolly has heard "You can't" in his athletic career? Way too many to count. "Oh yeah, tons," Connolly said. "Of being undersized, [from a] small school, not having the experience. I've heard it a lot. " For the record, the undersized (6 feet 4 inches, 313 pounds) small college product (Southeast Missouri State) who was released by the Jaguars and joined the Patriots as a practice squad player will be New England's starting center in Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI.

FOXBOROUGH - The last time Dan Koppen was spotted in a Patriots uniform, he was being carted off the field at Miami's Sun Life Stadium last September with a fractured left ankle. Less than two quarters after the season began, Koppen's was over. He was back on the field Thursday - the practice field behind Gillette Stadium - taking part in the Patriots' third organized team activity, and the first that was open to the media. Following the two-hour workout, Koppen said he's healthy, hungry for action after missing last season, and happy to still be a Patriot.

New England center Dan Koppen has gone to the locker room with a left ankle injury in the Patriots' opener at Miami, and he has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Koppen rode off in a cart sitting up late in the first half Monday night after Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby fell on his leg. Koppen was replaced at center by Dan Connolly.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Patriots will be without a few significant contributors tomorrow as they face the Eagles. The Patriots downgraded the following players to out: safety Patrick Chung (foot), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), offensive lineman Dan Connolly (groin) and Chad Ochocinco (hamstring), the team announced tonight. Without McCourty, it likely will mean more reps for Antwaun Molden. Ryan Wendell will handle snaps at center in Connolly's absence. And wide receiver Taylor Price may see a few more reps with the offense with Ochocinco out. They join linebackers...

Centers Dan Koppen and Ryan Wendell were inactive for the New England Patriots against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Koppen is expected to miss much of the season after injuring his fibula Monday night in the season opener at Miami. Wendell is out with a calf injury. Dan Connolly, who replaced Koppen against the Dolphins, is the starter. Also inactive for the Patriots are defensive lineman Mike Wright with a concussion, linebacker Gary Guyton, wide receiver Taylor Price and running back Shane Vereen.

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots claimed offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, who was with the Cincinnati Bengals, off waivers, according to a league source. Wetterer was signed as a rookie free agent by the Bengals before being cut this week. He is 6 feet 4 inches and 305 pounds and played at the University of Louisville. He is listed primarily as a guard. The Patriots may be looking for depth on an offensive line that has been banged up since training camp began. Ryan Wendell has not practiced since July 31 because of an undisclosed injury.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will not play against the New England Patriots because of broken ribs. Vick misses his second straight game. Vince Young will start in his place. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) also are inactive for Philadelphia (4-6). Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will start just three days after hurting his knee in practice and being carted off the field. The Patriots (7-3) won't have three starters: cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder)

The Patriots are holding a walkthrough today on the fields behind Gillette Stadium. Colleague Monique Walker reports that the only player not spotted during the media-access period was tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Linebacker Dane Fletcher, who has not been spotted in weeks, was on the field; Brandon Spikes, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury suffered against the Giants, was on the field but not in uniform. Chad Ochocinco (hamstring), who missed his first practice as a Patriot last Friday, was on the field.

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff FOXBOROUGH -- Center Dan Koppen is taking part in organized team activities for the Patriots this week after missing nearly all of last season with an ankle injury he suffered in the opener. Following a two-hour practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium, Koppen met with the media, and said it wasn't easy watching as the team advanced to the Super Bowl. "You've got to be mentally strong enough to handle that and say injuries happen and move on, but it's tough to sit there and watch," Koppen said.

The Patriots opened their offseason practice to reporters on Thursday. Tom Brady and Wes Welker were among the players in attendance. Globe football reporter Greg A. Bedard breaks down what he thought of the workout : There was a lot of teaching going on, which is what these OTAs are designed for. But it wasn't only the coaches. Players were helping other players. Saw Vince Wilfork showing Jermaine Cunningham the finer points of leverage during a drill. Jerod Mayo was helping Dont'a Hightower.

The Patriots and Dan Koppen agreed to a two-year contract Friday, a league source confirmed, meaning the veteran center will remain with the only NFL team he's known. NFL Network reported the deal is worth a total of $6 million. Koppen, a fifth-round draft pick out of Boston College in 2003, missed nearly all of last season after suffering a broken ankle in the opener against Miami. Koppen, who hit free agency for the first time in his career, didn't receive a lot of interest on the open market, likely because of his injury.

Veteran center Dan Koppen is back with the Patriots, with a two-year deal that will pay him close $6 million according to NFL Network. What does it mean for the offensive line and the Patriots' draft plans? Not quite sure yet. The devil will really be in the details of Koppen's contract, which we won't know for a couple of days. It's possible that the sides have an agreement that it's really a one-year deal, and that the second year won't happen. That's what happened with Matt Light, who was given a two-year, $12-million contract.

Veteran center Dan Koppen, who became a free agent for the first time in his career this year, could be returning to the only NFL home he's known. NFL Network reported that Koppen and the Patriots have agree to a two-year deal worth about $6 million; ESPN reported that Koppen and the Patriots have come to an agreement. A fourth-round draft pick out of Boston College in 2003, Koppen missed nearly all of last season when he suffered a broken ankle in the opener against Miami.

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots entered the offseason prepared to move on without center Dan Koppen and left tackle Matt Light, with retirement likely for the latter. Koppen is still a free agent after the Patriots signed Dan Connolly to starter's money at center, and owner Robert Kraft said nothing Thursday to dissuade the thinking that Light is likely to retire at some point. Kraft, following a Patriots Charitable Foundation event celebrating Camp Sunshine in Maine, became a little emotional when asked about prospect of moving forward without long-time Patriots in...

New England Patriots starting safety Patrick Chung is back on the injury report. Chung has a knee problem and was among 13 players listed Friday as questionable for the Patriots' playoff game Saturday night against the Denver Broncos. He was limited in practice after participating fully Thursday. Chung missed seven games because of a foot injury before returning Jan. 1 in a 49-21 win over Buffalo. The Patriots had a bye last weekend. Questionable status means there is a 50-50 chance a player won't play although most listed that way by the Patriots have played.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff FOXBOROUGH - We've reported previously that the Patriots entered the offseason prepared to move on without center Dan Koppen and left tackle Matt Light, with retirement likely for the latter. Koppen is still a free agent after the Patriots signed Dan Connolly to starter's money at center, and owner Robert Kraft said nothing today to dissuade the thinking that Light is likely to retire at some point. Kraft, following a Patriots Charitable Foundation event celebrating Camp Sunshine in Maine, became a little emotional when asked about...