Richard Seymour, right, tackling Dan Kreider of the Rams at Gillette Stadium in October, is questionable for the Bills game.

The Providence Journal / Mary Murphy

FOXBORO — Since they’ll be getting tomorrow off to celebrate Christmas, the Patriots were on the field yesterday for a rare Tuesday practice. Tuesday is typically the off-day for NFL players during the regular season.

Of potential concern for New England fans: Richard Seymour was one of four players not on the field for the media-access portion of the practice inside Gillette Stadium.

The defensive tackle left Sunday’s game against Arizona just before halftime with what was announced as a back injury. He was on the field long enough to record a half-sack, giving him a career-high eight for the season.

After the game on Sunday, the Boston Globe reported that Seymour’s injury was not serious, while the Boston Herald reported that Seymour was in discomfort and could miss the game in Buffalo.

The defensive tackle will be needed against the Bills on Sunday because of the presence of running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is averaging just over four yards per carry this season, with eight touchdowns.

Also not on the field yesterday was Ray Ventrone, who apparently suffered an ankle injury in practice last Friday but did play against the Cardinals. Others missing were Tedy Bruschi, who has missed the last two games with a left knee injury, and James Sanders, who has also missed the last two games because of an abdomen problem.

New England was not required to submit a practice report for the day, so the status of those four players, as well as that of Ty Warren and Matt Light, who have been limited in recent practices, is unknown.

Cheering for Jets?

The Patriots and their fans are in the uncomfortable position of having to cheer for the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but New England co-captain Mike Vrabel isn’t ready to pull out the pompons just yet.

“Really, I think we’re not in ‘rooter’ mode right now; we have plenty of work to do,” Vrabel said.

Asked about being proud of the linebacking corps, which has had injuries to Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods and Bruschi, among others, and has had to call on Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin to help plug the holes, Vrabel didn’t want to single out only his position-mates for excelling under difficult circumstances.

“I’m just proud of this team for being in this position that we’re in,” he said. “(But) our focus just has to be on Buffalo right now.”

Quick kicks

The Pats’ coaches named six players as practice players of the week for their efforts helping the team prepare for Arizona: WR Kelley Washington, WR Sam Aiken, LB Larry Izzo, G Billy Yates, C/G Dan Connolly and practice squad LB Darrell Robertson. … Despite a season-high seven penalties against the Cardinals, New England can still set an NFL record for fewest accepted penalties in a season. The Pats currently have 55. Last year, the Seahawks set the league-low for a 16-game season with 59. … Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards is good friends with Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie. The two attended Stanford together.

smanza@projo.com