Likewise, the possible return of Matt Light at left tackle could push rookie Sebastian Vollmer back into a reserve role.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Sam Aiken was not on the field Wednesday during the media availability portion of practice, which suggests the hip injury he suffered against the Colts might be more serious than the team originally thought.

--DL Jarvis Green (knee) was also not on the field during practice Wednesday. Green's absence has crippled the Patriots' depth on the defensive line and he will likely be a game-time decision Sunday after missing last week's game.

--DE Ty Warren was not available during practice Wednesday as he continues to rehabilitate an ankle injury. Warren's absence, coupled with Jarvis Green's injury, leaves the Patriots thin up front.

--WR Isaiah Stanback switched from No. 8 to No. 15. Stanback contributed slightly in the loss to Indianapolis despite just joining the team last week.

--DB Bret Lockett wore a yellow No. 57 jersey during practice Wednesday, indicating he's impersonating Jets LB Bart Scott on the scout team.

GAME PLAN: The Patriots are facing a totally different dynamic this weekend against the Jets. After dealing with Peyton Manning's rocket arm last week, they'll now be forced to deal with the league's top rushing team.

Likewise, Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled in recent weeks, so the Patriots will likely make him try to beat them, unlike last week when they tried their best to keep the ball out of Manning's hands.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. Patriots WR Randy Moss. Revis may be the only cornerback over the final seven games capable of holding Moss to fewer than 100 yards. Moss has been explosive of late, so this is an important matchup. His nine-catch performance nearly sank the Colts, and the Jets don't have the same firepower, so it's imperative they keep Moss in check.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick vs. Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Belichick rarely loses to rookie quarterbacks, but if he does, he almost never loses to them twice in the same season. Sanchez had a strong performance in the Week 2 victory against New England, so Belichick will have to come up with an even craftier game plan the second time around to even the season series.

Jets RB Thomas Jones vs. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo. Jones has had a great year and the Jets will probably try to establish the run early, so it's up to Mayo to set the tone defensively and be the run-stopper he's paid to be. The less Jones does, the more Sanchez has to throw, which would work out in the Patriots' favor.

INJURY IMPACT: Not having Jarvis Green and Ty Warren for the second week in a row would severely limit the Patriots' ability to rush the passer and get creative with their blitz packages against Sanchez. Having one of those two return makes Belichick's playbook a bit more expansive, but only time will tell if the injury situation up front will improve by Sunday afternoon.