Patriots' Ryan Wendell returns to practice

New England Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell returned to practice Monday.

Wendell hasn't played this season with what's been mysteriously called "an illness," which both the team and the player refuse to elaborate on.

“Like it was listed, as illness, that simply means I wasn’t feeling up to doing my job for matters out of my own hands,” Wendell said. “As soon as the doctors and trainers tell me I’m well enough to go, I’ll be out there.”

Wendell - who hasn't been able to practice since the middle of September - started the practice session at center, snapping to backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Patriots have been forced to rotate offensive lineman after Wendell, who was was entrenched as starter, was unable to play.