The Patriots started their preparations in earnest today for Sunday night's game with the Philadelphia Eagles, and right now it looks as if their running game will be in tact. Both Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk, who spent time on the sideline last Sunday with apparent injuries (foot and head), were back on the practice field today and not listed on the team's injury report. Most notably for the Eagles, QB Donovan McNabb did not practice, nursing ankle and thumb injuries.

Officially, the Patriots reported that linebacker Adalius Thomas (team decision) and defensive lineman Jarvis Green (ankle) did not practice. Thomas had been nursing a bad ankle a couple of weeks ago, and Green appeared to get hurt in the final plays of Sunday's 56-10 win at Buffalo.

Seeing limited practice time were safety Eugene Wilson (ankle), offensive lineman Stephen Neal (out last week with a bad shoulder) and, of course, QB Tom Brady (the obligatory right shoulder listing).

Besides McNabb, the eagles said safety Quentin Mikell (knee) and tackle William Thomas (illness) did not practice today.

Practicing fully but listed on the injury report were wideout Jason Avant (groin), free safety Brian Dawkins (thigh), long snapper Jon Dorenbos (abdomen), linebacker Omar Gaither (back), guard Todd Herremans (knee), cornerback William James (foot), defensive tackle Mike Patterson (ankle) and heralded running back Brian Westbrook (knee).

LINE OF THE DAY: That came from head coach Bill Belichick, when pressed about his Thanksgiving Day plans -- the team will practice early in the day but be given most of the day off. Belichick added, "I don't think I'm going to go hungry, though, if that's what you're (worried about). I don't look like I'm undernourished, do I?"

Pats QB Tom Brady was not available to the media today, as he normally is on Wednesdays. No explanation was given.

-- TOM KING