FOXBORO -- Sunday will mark the first on-field reunion between the Patriots and receiver Deion Branch, the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX who was traded to Seattle before the 2006 season.

“It will be a little strange and a little exciting,” Branch said via conference call with local media yesterday. “Man, it is crazy; I was looking at my playbook this morning and I saw the New England Patriots’ helmet. Knowing where I am at and knowing that we are going against the guys that I played with my first four years, won two Super Bowls with and have shared a lot of memories with. … Most of all it will be a little strange, but a little exciting to be out there playing against all my friends.”

Branch hasn’t had the best luck since joining the Seahawks; he played in 14 games his first season there, but saw action in just 11 last season. After suffering a torn ACL in Seattle’s playoff loss to Green Bay last year, Branch wasn’t ready at the start of this season. His first game action was in Week 5, but he was hurt again in that game and returned three weeks ago against Arizona.

While he keeps in touch with many of his former Pats teammates, Branch has been exchanging frequent text messages with Tom Brady as he recovers from his own torn ACL.

“Knowing what he is about to go through, it’s nothing to him,” he said of Brady. “He’s a strong guy. He’s going to prevail; he is going to be all right. You have to be mentally strong to overcome this type of injury; a lot of guys come back from it but a lot of guys are not mentally back from the injury when they come back. Tom will be OK.”

Ty Warren still ailing

The Patriots’ first injury/participation list of the week included 10 players, most notably defensive end Ty Warren, who did not practice due to his groin injury. Warren has missed two of New England’s last three games with the injury, though last Friday, he indicated that he expected to play against Pittsburgh. He was not able to play, however.

Linebackers Pierre Woods (jaw), Vince Redd (ankle) and Adalius Thomas (right forearm) as well as receiver Kelley Washington (thigh) also did not practice yesterday.

Limited for the session held on the upper fields behind Gillette Stadium were: LB Tedy Bruschi (knee), CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), RB LaMont Jordan (calf) and DE Richard Seymour (knee). C Dan Koppen (elbow) was listed as having full participation.

For the Seahawks, four starters did not participate: LB LeRoy Hill (neck), WR Koren Robinson (knee), LT Walter Jones (knee) and LG Mike Wahle (shoulder). QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) was limited.

Rare trip to Seattle

Little known facts of the week: The Pats have not played in Seattle since Sept. 17, 1993 — since then, New England has played in every other NFL city at least once. The Patriots and Seattle played 12 times over a 14-year span from 1980-93, but have played just once since then, a 2004 meeting in Foxboro.

smanza@projo.com