When the Patriots took the field this morning, it was with small decals on the back of their helmets bearing the number 91 -- the uniform number worn by defensive lineman Marquise Hill, who died in May after a jet-skiing accident on Lake Ponchartrain in his native New Orleans.

On the inside cover of the media guide, there is a tribute to Hill and Francis "Bucko" Kilroy, the former Patriots' general manager and longtime consulting scout who passed away earlier this month.

The 91 jersey will not be worn by another player this season.