FOXBORO, Mass. — Julian Edelman wasn’t present for the Patriots’ first day of minicamp on Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t working.

Edelman, who re-injured his right foot this offseason, was out of his walking boot and doing some short, slow routes on the filed at Gillette Stadium after practice on Tuesday afternoon. He caught passes from a member of the Patriots’ training staff while another staffer swatted a towel at him as he attempted to catch the ball.

He did a good job concentrating on the passes and even gave a slight jog to catch up to a few balls that were thrown out a little wide. Just being out of the protective boot and doing some short routes is a positive sign for Edelman and the Patriots offense, even if it’s only a small step in his recovery process.

The 27-year-old is now the Patriots’ most veteran receiver and will likely rely on his skills and chemistry with Tom Brady as they enter this season with an entirely new receiving corps. He caught 21 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in nine games in 2012. He was also the Patriots’ best punt returner, averaging more than 15 yards and scoring a 68-yard touchdown on 17 punt returns last season.

Given the progress to this point and his expected recovery timetable, Edelman should be back to full health and with the Patriots at the start of training camp.

Here’s a distant shot of Edelman out on the field, catching passes.

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