FOXBORO -- From what reporters could see during their brief access period to Patriots practice, the team got at least one important piece back Monday.
Julian Edelman was present and in uniform, which indicates that he's been removed from the non-football injury list. Players can't practice until they've been removed from NFI. Edelman has been present at Patriots practices, but primarily in a spectating capacity and not in uniform.
Sure enough, on Monday evening, ESPN's Field Yates confirmed that Edelman had been removed from the NFI list.
Edelman's return to practice is a boon to Tom Brady and the team's receiver room, obviously. Not only because he's their top pass-catcher but because their numbers at receiver have been down of late. Brady threw passes to Gunner Olszewski, Dontrelle Inman and Braxton Berrios during team reps last week in Nashville.
Also spotted at practice were Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon, though neither were wearing their practice jerseys. Thomas has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of camp, and Gordon was placed on NFI soon after rejoining the Patriots.
New England Patriots
Find the latest New England Patriots news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Tight end Matt LaCosse and receivers Phillip Dorsett and Maurice Harris were also on the field. All three have been limited lately by physical ailments.
Outside linebacker Derek Rivers, who was forced from Saturday's preseason game with the Titans, was not spotted.
Phil Perry's updated Patriots 53-man roster projection>>>>>
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.
