FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Starting left guard Logan Mankins, who opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL, was on the practice field in uniform for the first time Sunday.

Head coach Bill Belichick confirmed after practice that Mankins, a four-time Pro Bowler, has been removed from the active/PUP list.

Mankins will not be able to practice in full pads for three days, per NFL rules, but with the Patriots dressing in shells (light shoulder pads) he looked primed to participate on Sunday.

The return of the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Mankins gives a boost to an offensive line that has had some early struggles in training camp and in last Thursday's preseason opener.

In Mankins' absence, the Patriots have had five-year veteran Donald Thomas lining up at first-unit left guard.