CRANSTON, R.I. -- With the New England Patriots voluntary offseason program set to kick off next Monday, cornerback Devin McCourty won't need to travel back to the region this week, unlike many of his teammates.

That's because McCourty has stayed in the area, rehabbing from shoulder surgery that isn't expected to threaten his availability for training camp in late July.

"It's going pretty good. Just rehabbing day-by-day and taking it one step at a time," McCourty said. "It's a process. I'm learning and I'm just going through it and listening to the trainers."

Once McCourty returns, he will re-join a secondary that retained cornerback Aqib Talib and added hard-hitting veteran safety Adrian Wilson.

"I'm going to love having (Wilson) here just because, since I've been here, we haven't had that 10-year vet, or that guy who's been guy that's played a long time and been productive," McCourty said. "I think the closest thing we had like that was my rookie year, with guys like (Brandon) Meriweather, James Sanders, and Leigh Bodden."

McCourty said he has also spoken to cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who will be sentenced on Thursday in Nebraska for a conviction for assaulting a police officer.

"He seems upbeat. He seems like he's ready for whatever happens," McCourty said. "Just told him if he needs anything to let me know, hit me up."

McCourty was in Cranston on Monday morning to read to students at Arlington Elementary School.

"It's always a good time when you can be a kid again," he said. "I love doing these things and like, camps and stuff. Kids just have energy and if you show 'em a little energy they go through the roof. I just try to come in and be energetic and have fun with it."