Patriots several key players missed practice

The New England Patriots practiced Wednesday without five key players, including quarterback Tom Brady, wide receiver Randy Moss and three linebackers Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton and Derrick Burgess.

Moss and the three linebackers were sent home after showing up late for an 8 a.m. team meeting. Brady stayed with other teammates but did not practice because he just put on his Patriots jersey and returned to work the day after his wife supermodel Gisele Bundchen, gave birth to their son. The team’s practice reports listed him with a right shoulder injury and a right finger injury.

After last Sunday’s 22-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots fell to 7-5 and suffered their third loss in four games for the first time in seven seasons. But Coach Bill Belichick declined to explain the absence of the five key players. “Anything that happens with discipline on the team stays between me and the players on the team,” he said.