The New England Patriots' offensive line has undergone change this season, between the retirement of Matt Light, Brian Walters failing to show for training camp, the release of Dan Hoppen and Logan Mankins coming off surgery on a torn ACL.

Tom Brady was sacked 12 times through the first five games, but only three times over their past six.

‘‘You try and do that as best as you can,’’ guard Donald Thomas said. ‘‘So, it’s always a bonus when you can try to keep him as clean as possible. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect. You try to do your job and that’s what our job is.’’

Titus Young returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since being sent hom on Nov. 19 for repeated acts of insubordination.

Jim Schwartz said it’s “too soon to tell” whether Young will be active for Sunday’s game against the Colts.

Young spent about 15 minutes after practice catching balls off a JUGS machine and declined an interview request when he entered the locker room.

In a loss to the Packers two weeks ago, he purposely lined up in the wrong spot on the field multiple times and mouthed off to receivers coach Shawn Jefferson on the sideline.

The San Francisco 49ers will start Colin Kaepernick at quarterback on Sunday against the Rams.

Kaepernick assumed the starting role following a concussion by Alex Smith.

The New England Patriots have elevated fullback James Develin to the active roster.

Develin, signed to the practice squad on September 2, is a six-foot-three, 251-pound player out of Brown who began his NFL career on the Bengals practice squad in 2010. 

The Patriots have not had a fullback on the roster since early in the season.

Duane Brown of the Houston Texans has been the best left tackle in the NFL during the 2012 season.

Brown was the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Brown has surrendered just one sack over the past 29 games.

Brown has been so dominant in 2012 that Pro Football Focus ranks him as sixth in their Offensive Player of the Year Rankings.

Brown's excellence comes from his ability to limit the effectiveness of pass-rushers while also using his strength for the run game.

Robert Griffin III has the NFL's highest adjusted accuracy percentage under pressure this season.

Griffin has a 81.9 percent accuracy rate in those situations.

Ryan Tannehill is second in the category, while Ben Roethlisberger ranks third.

The New York Jets are experimenting with Joe McKnight at wide receiver.

McKnight has also played running back and cornerback this season.

Both Clyde Gates and Chaz Schilens suffered concussions in the loss to the Patriots on Thursday, leaving the Jets thin at wide receiver.

Colin Kaepernick has been receiving the unwavering support of Alex Smith in what is a difficult situation for both quarterbacks of the San Francisco 49ers.

Kaepernick went 16-for-25 for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while rushing for 27 yards and another touchdown.

"It's got to be tough,'' said Kaepernick, "but Alex is so good to me. Our relationship is still the same as it's been. Every time I came off the field, he'd say to me, 'Did you see this?' Or, 'Did you see that?' Alex is a great guy.''

The six teams with the best turnover differential in the NFL have a combined record of 43-23.

The New England Patriots are plus-24 in the category, followed by the Chicago Bears and New York Giants with a plus-13.

The bottom-six teams have a combined record of 27-38. 

The Kansas City Chiefs are minus-21 on the season.

When throwing to the end zone, Andrew Luck has connected with T.Y. Hilton on three of his five attempts for an 11.6 yard average with no interceptions.

But when throwing to others, Luck is 3-for-19 with three interceptions.

Luck 2-for-9 when targeting Reggie Wayne in the end zone, with two interceptions.