FOXBORO –– The New England secondary remained a primary concern yesterday, as the team re-signed veteran cornerback Jason Webster to respond to yet another injury suffered in the defensive backfield, this time to rookie Terrence Wheatley.

To make room for Webster, rookie linebacker Shawn Crable was placed on injured reserve.

Webster was initially signed by New England in March, but missed much of training camp with an injury and was released Aug. 26. An eight-year veteran, his experience in the Patriots’ system and ability to play in the slot contributed to his return.

Webster’s being injured, and therefore being unable to show the coaching staff what he could do, contributed to his release toward the end of camp.

“It was difficult because I wasn’t able to (play), but there was nothing I could do about getting injured,” Webster said yesterday. “I put it behind me and kept working out.”

Wheatley injured his left wrist in the first half against the Colts on Sunday night, the joint taking most of the brunt of his fall after swatting a ball away from Marvin Harrison. Yesterday, he walked through the locker room briefly, trying to hide his wrist in the pocket of his white hoodie.

Crable, a third-round pick out of Michigan, had not played in a game this season; he was a healthy scratch for the Pats’ first five games, but suffered a shin injury just before the Broncos game that had him out of practice the last three weeks.

No Cassel sacks

Patriots center Dan Koppen is proud of his fellow lineman for the fact that they did not allow a sack on Matt Cassel during their game against Indianapolis.

Cassel had been sacked 28 times in the seven games before Sunday.

“We’re trying to do our job and give him the time back there that he needs, but he’s been playing better and better every week and it’s our job to keep him clean like it is every year and every week,” Koppen said. “It doesn’t matter the opponent, we just have to do our job up front for him to do his. He’ll continue to grow and make plays.”

The fulltime returns of Stephen Neal at right guard and Nick Kaczur at right tackle also helped prevent Indianapolis from recording a sack.

Injury list

The Patriots listed eight players on their first injury/participation report of the week, including Randy Moss and Vince Wilfork. Moss was limited with a foot problem, likely the same one that had him limited last Wednesday but off the report by Friday. Wilfork is listed for the first time this season with a toe injury; he was also limited.

Running back Sammy Morris (knee), cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring) and Wheatley did not practice; in addition to Moss and Wilfork, RB LaMont Jordan (calf), CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), LB Eric Alexander (hamstring) and WR Matthew Slater (ankle) were also limited.

Three AFC East games

Did you know?

Sunday’s game against Buffalo is the first of three straight AFC East games for New England. Next Thursday, the team hosts the Jets, and on Nov. 23, the Pats play in Miami. It is the first time since 2001 that the Patriots will play back-to-back-to-back division games.

In ’01, New England hosted the Jets and Colts (that was the final season Indianapolis was in the AFC East) and traveled to face the Dolphins in Weeks Two through Four, winning against Indianapolis but losing to New York and Miami.

roblee@projo.com / smanza@projo.com