Brady buoyed by Patriots' healthier outlook

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - The New England Patriots appear to be getting healthier as the reigning Super Bowl champions head toward Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans.

Dont'a Hightower (knee) and Danny Amendola (concussion, knee), who both missed Sunday's win at New Orleans, and Philip Dorsett (knee), Chris Hogan (knee) and Eric Rowe (groin) - injured against the Saints - were all back at practice on Wednesday.

Rob Gronkowski, who had a groin injury on Sunday, was spotted at practice but listed as not participating. On Monday, he said he was "day to day" and that he didn't think his injury was serious.