Patriots guard Stephen Neal, working against San Diego’s Luis Castillo during last season’s AFC title game in Foxboro, is trying to return after suffering a knee injury in the Super Bowl.

The Providence Journal/ / Bob Breidenbach

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots got some offensive line help yesterday, and it comes not a moment too soon, as the unit suddenly has injury problems.

The Patriots started the clock on guard Stephen Neal and tackle Oliver Ross, both of whom had been placed on the reserve lists at the start of training camp. Neal was put on the physically unable to perform list because he still had to rehab after suffering a knee injury during the Super Bowl. Ross went on the non-football injury list due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the offseason.

With both players practicing yesterday, New England opened the 21-day practice window for each. Anytime during the 21 days, the Pats can activate them to the 53-man roster, place them on season-ending injured reserve or release them.

While it’s unlikely that either will be activated before Monday night’s game against Denver, New England can use the help sooner rather than later. Right tackle Nick Kaczur suffered a right ankle injury against the Chargers and missed practice yesterday and left tackle Matt Light also missed yesterday’s session, with a reported knee injury.

Neal, the former college wrestling champ who had worked himself into a mainstay on the offensive line, said it has been frustrating “to see your buddies go to practice and play games.”

He did agree, however, that the time off means he’ll definitely be fresher once he does get on the field.

Ross, who has not played since the 2006 season with Arizona because he missed last season with a triceps injury, was eager to finally practice with his new team.

“This is the first time I’m going out in a while,” he said before the early-afternoon practice. “I’ll knock the rust off and go from there.”

Ross can play left and right tackle, though in recent seasons his play has been primarily at right tackle.

Quick kicks

There were five other players besides Light and Kaczur who did not participate in practice yesterday: RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder), RB LaMont Jordan (calf), DE Jarvis Green (ankle), WR Kelley Washington (ankle) and LB Eric Alexander (hamstring). For the Broncos, LB Boss Bailey (ankle) and WR Brandon Stokley (concussion) did not participate, while TE Tony Scheffler (groin), RB Ryan Torain (elbow) and RB Selvin Young (groin) were limited. Several others were listed as having full participation. … WR Maurice Price was re-signed by New England yesterday, taking the practice-squad opening left open when RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis was promoted before Sunday’s game. Price was released to make room for Green-Ellis on the active roster.

smanza@projo.com