By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com
FOXBORO -- Cornerback Devin McCourty was present at Patriots practice for the second straight day on Friday at Gillette Stadium, as the Pats prepare for Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.
McCourty injured his rib in the first half of Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, and at halftime, the Patriots led 33-0.
His status for Sunday's game isn't yet officially known, but he did term it as "nagging" prior to practicing on Friday.
"I'm just happy that I can practice," said McCourty, when asked if he was concerned about long-term effects of his rib injury. "I'm going out there and playing, so I think that's always a good sign."
McCourty acknowledged on Friday that he did briefly return to Sunday's game after suffering the injury, and that sitting out for the second half was the "coach's decision."
"I always want to play each Sunday," said McCourty. "You don't get many opportunities to go out there and play, so, anytime we do, I want to be out there . . . Whatever the docs and the trainers decide, and what coach says, that's what I'll go with."
New England Patriots
Tight end Aaron Hernandez was among four missing Patriots at Friday's practice. The other three players not present were defensive linemen Mike Wright, Myron Pryor, and Ron Brace.
Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard. You can listen to Danny on his streaming radio show I'm Just Sayin'Monday-Friday from 9-10 a.m. on CSNNE.com.