FOXBORO, Mass. - The New England Patriots received a boost in their roster as three key starters returned to practice ahead of their upcoming game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Wide receiver DeVante Parker, left tackle Trent Brown, and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux all participated in Friday's practice session, indicating a positive step towards their availability for Sunday's matchup.

Parker, who suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Miami Dolphins, made a surprising return to practice, considering the usual timeline for clearing the NFL's concussion protocol. While his presence on the field is an encouraging sign, his status for Sunday's game remains uncertain. The Patriots have been cautious with concussion-related injuries, as seen with Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster, who both missed the game following concussions in Week 5.

Trent Brown, who played all offensive snaps in the previous game against the Dolphins, was visibly limited due to a knee and ankle issue. His return to practice indicates progress in his recovery, but his availability for Sunday's game will be determined closer to kickoff.

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who missed Thursday's practice due to illness, returned to the field on Friday. His participation in practice suggests that he's on track to play against the Commanders, bolstering the Patriots' defensive line.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson continued to be absent from practice due to illness, which has sidelined him since before the Dolphins game. Anderson's status for Sunday's game remains uncertain, and his absence could impact the Patriots' offensive line rotation.

The Patriots will disclose the final injury report for Week 9 later today, shedding more light on the availability of the returning starters and other players dealing with injuries. The team's coaching staff and medical personnel will closely monitor the progress of all players to ensure their readiness for Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

The return of DeVante Parker, Trent Brown, and Davon Godchaux is a positive development for the Patriots as they aim to bounce back from their recent loss to the Dolphins. Their contributions on the field will be crucial to the team's success against the Washington Commanders, as the Patriots look to improve their record and remain competitive in the AFC East division.

As the game approaches, Patriots fans eagerly await the final injury report and hope for a healthy and competitive lineup on Sunday.