3 injured Patriots returned for first regular season practice on Wednesday

Finally, there is some hopeful news on the injury front for the Patriots on Wednesday

Defensive end Trey Flowers, safety Cody Davis and offensive tackle Riley Reiff all made their return to practice for the New England Patriots on Wednesday.

Flowers was placed on the active\PUP list on August 8, and Reiff was placed on injured reserve September 4. Meanwhile, Davis started training camp on the PUP list after being placed there on July 21.

The addition of Reiff in particular could be notable, given that New England has struggled on the offensive line. Flowers will be able to add pass-rushing depth to the team, which could be important following the season-ending injury to Matthew Judon. Flowers has 31.5 sacks in his career, and he knows how to rush the passer well, especially in coach Bill Belichick’s defense.

These returns are big for depth purposes with the Patriots currently battered with injuries.

There’s no fixing the damage done from losing two defensive stars in cornerback Christian Gonzalez and linebacker Matthew Judon, but the Patriots would be in a good place if they can at least soften the blow.

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