Nine-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch took a physical with the New England Patriots, who need secondary help after being hit by injuries.

Coach Bill Belichick, who rarely identifies players brought in for visits, said yesterday that he met Wednesday with Lynch and that the former Denver Broncos star was given a physical.

The NFL Network reported later yesterday that the Patriots and Lynch had agreed on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Patriots said they had nothing to announce. A phone call to Lynch's agent, Joby Branion, was not returned.

Speaking late yesterday morning, Belichick said Lynch, who wanted more playing time than he expected to get in Denver, hadn't signed at the time.

"If and when that happens, then we will address it," he said, "but until then I really don't have any other comment on it."

The Patriots needed help in the secondary after safety-linebacker Tank Williams had a season-ending knee injury in their first exhibition game Aug. 7, a 16-15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Neither of last season's starters, Rodney Harrison and James Sanders, played in that game and both have missed several practices in training camp.

Lynch, who spent his first 11 seasons with Tampa Bay, is entering his 16th NFL season and turns 37 on Sept. 25. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his four years with Denver.

GIANTS

WR BURRESS EXPECTS TO BE READY FOR OPENER

Plaxico Burress expects to be on the field for the New York Giants' season opener Sept. 4 against Washington — bum ankle, flat feet and all.

Burress, who caught the Super Bowl-winning pass in the stunning upset of previously unbeaten New England, disclosed his foot condition yesterday and said he is basically learning how to run again at 31 with the aid of orthotics.

"It is something that I am going to have to get used to, basically getting my feet into the shape where they can tolerate it," Burress said before the Giants practiced at the University at Albany.

Three months ago, the team advised Burress to use orthotics to help reshape both feet. He said it took time to get fitted, and he did not start using them until recently.

"My feet are not in the same position they have been in for the first 30 years of my life, so it is kind of putting them in a new position and they are not comfortable with it," Burress said. "They are sore. I think I will be all right."

Burress went on the field in full pads Tuesday for the first time since training camp started July 25. He jogged a few patterns, caught a few passes and then watched from the side as teammates ran full-speed drills. He said he was a little sore the next day.

Burress did the same things at practice yesterday.

ELSEWHERE

Saints: New Orleans defensive tackle Hollis Thomas could be out two months with a right triceps injury, all but ensuring that top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be thrust into a major role on the interior of the defensive line this season. Saints coach Sean Payton disclosed Thomas' injury yesterday after the 12-year veteran had surgery to repair an injury that occurred during pass-blocking drills Wednesday.

Cardinals: Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said yesterday that he's leaning toward starting Kurt Warner at quarterback in tomorrow night's preseason game against Kansas City. Warner, who took over as the starter last season when Matt Leinart suffered a season-ending collarbone injury Oct. 7, didn't play in last week's preseason opener against New Orleans.

Seahawks: Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck is back to practicing. Playing in preseason games can wait. The Seahawks' Pro Bowl quarterback returned to drills yesterday for the first time since his back stiffened six days ago, but he doesn't expect to play in tomorrow's game against Chicago.

Chargers: San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman missed practice yesterday for the third consecutive day because of a virus, and his availability for the preseason game tomorrow against St. Louis is in question. Merriman said he had strep throat and a heavy fever.

Cowboys: Dallas nickel linebacker Kevin Burnett will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today, two days after spraining the knee in 11-on-11 drills against Denver. Coach Wade Phillips said the procedure to remove a piece of loose cartilage will be "less than a week process."

Colts: Indianapolis cornerback Kelvin Hayden bruised his right heel during yesterday's practice. Hayden started all 16 games last season, producing career highs in tackles (117), interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (two) and passes defended (12).

Jets: Brett Favre threw a limited number of passes for the second straight practice yesterday, a day after the New York quarterback said his arm felt "fatigued." While the Jets focused primarily on red-zone situations, Favre showed good zip on his passes but threw nothing too far downfield.

Titans: Tennessee starting right tackle David Stewart underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday and will be sidelined two to three weeks. Stewart signed a six-year, $39 million extension in June.