Burkhead sits out; Hightower, Rowe and Slater return to practice

The first injury report for Panthers week was released, and the headline was that Dont'a Hightower, Eric Rowe and Matthew Slater were all limited participants.

Rob Gronkowski isn't even on the injury report this week.

The Panthers had six starters sit out practice.

The rundown:

Did not practice

Patriots: RB Rex Burkhead (ribs)

Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee), LB Jeremy Cash (calf), LB Thomas Davis (ribs), C Ryan Kalil (neck), DT Star Loutulelei (shoulder), DE Julius Peppers (rest), CB Daryl Worley (shoulder).

Limited participation

Patriots: WR Danny Amendola (knee), OT Marcus Cannon (ankle/concussion), WR Phillip Dorsett (knee), DB Nate Ebner (shoulder), CB Stephon Gilmore (groin), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin), WR Matthew Slater (hamsting).

Panthers: QB Cam Newton (right shoulder), WR Curtis Samuel (back).