By Phil Perry
CSNNE.com
FOXBORO -- The way Nate Solder played on Monday night may afford the Patriots to be a little more cautious with Sebastian Vollmer's back injury. But Vollmer, who sat out of the Patriots win in Miami, has been practicing this week and hopes he's well enough to play Sunday against the Chargers.
"Good to get back out there," Vollmer said. "We'll have to see about me playing Sunday. So far, I'm out at practice and doing what I can. Trying to get better. When it feels right, it feels right."
Vollmer underwent back surgery while at the University of Houston but would not say that his current injury goes back to his college days.
"Im only looking forward," said Vollmer. "Its day-to-day, well see what happens."
While Vollmer was non-committal when he discussed his status for Sunday, his coach said he expected Vollmer to play -- as well as the team's two other tackles Matt Light and Solder.
"I'd expect all three of those guys to play," Belichick said Friday. "Light, Solder, Vollmer. I'd think they'd all play."
New England Patriots
Solder was solid at right tackle going up against one of the best pass-rushers in the league in Miami's Cameron Wake. The rookie from Colorado was called for one hold and allowed Wake one sack, but Solder showed good footwork and often finished plays by smothering Wake into the turf when Wake tried to get low and rush around him.
Vollmer said he wasn't surprised by the rookie's debut.
"You expect certain things," he said. "He stepped up to the plate and had a good game."
He went on to explain that the Patriots emphasize versatility on the line so that when injuries happen, they're able to compensate. It's why Solder -- brought in as a left tackle -- was able to fill in at right tackle. It's also why Dan Connolly made such a quick transition from guard to center when Dan Koppen left Monday night's game with a broken ankle.
"That's what we do in practice and in training camp," Vollmer said. "You learn each position and try to prepare as well as you can for it. Step in and do good."
Follow Phil Perry on Twitter at @PhilAPerry.