Source: Patriots exercising caution with rookie pass-rusher Wise

While there’s a regular-season intensity that’s starting to ramp up around the Patriots, they’re also being careful with some players who are banged up heading into Friday’s preseason game against the Lions.

In the locker room on Wednesday morning, a handful of players, including defensive end Deatrich Wise and tight end Matt Lengel, did not have packed travel bags in front of their lockers. However, in the case of both Wise and Lengel, there’s no serious cause for concern, as league sources indicated that the team is simply being cautious with both of them.

Wise suffered a head injury in the preseason opener against Jacksonville, and while Wise is apparently close to a return, Bill Belichick has said in the past that the best course of action for any rehabbing player is not to get on a plane and fly across the country. (“No big issue” was how one league source described Wise’s situation.)

In the case of Lengel, he’s dealing with a strain. As a result, the team is also exercising caution in his case, preferring that he stay home and rehab instead of getting on a plane and flying to Detroit.

Others players who did not have travel bags in front of their lockers include special teams captain Matthew Slater, left tackle Nate Solder, linebacker Shea McClellin and defensive end Derek Rivers. In addition, running back Rex Burkhead, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and offensive lineman Tony Garcia were among those not spotted at the start of practice, which casts serious doubt on their availability for Friday’s game against the Lions.