FOXBORO — Patriots left tackle Trent Brown returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with an illness, while veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was newly absent.

Related Articles

Callahan: The overlooked, underrated Patriot tying Bill Belichick’s secondary together

When Bailey Zappe started getting more comfortable in Patriots’ new offense

Patriots claim cornerback, place Rhamondre Stevenson on IR

Patriots-Bills injury report: Trent Brown among 3 absent, new Pats veteran has concussion

Patriots down 3 starters at Wednesday practice before Bills game

Smith-Schuster was one of four missing players, along with safeties Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) and Jalen Mills (concussion) and rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte. It’s unknown why Smith-Schuster and Boutte were both absent. Smith-Schuster has missed the team’s last two games due to injury.

If neither receiver can play Sunday, the Patriots will be down to DeVante Parker, DeMario Douglas, Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton in Buffalo.

The Patriots listed three players as non-participants and another nine as limited on their initial injury report Wednesday. They will release their next report sometime Thursday evening.