LeGarrette Blount (suspension), who injured his right knee Aug. 7, has returned to 11-on-11 drills at practice, the Boston Herald reports.

Blount (suspension), who injured his right knee Aug. 7, has returned to 11-on-11 drills at practice, the Boston Herald reports.

Analysis:

Blount, who was a limited participant in Tuesday's workout, sat out Thursday's preseason opener, but he has quickly moved past what turned out to be a minor MCL injury. In Blount's absence Thursday, Jonas Gray turned seven carries into 74 yards, including a 55-yard TD run. With Blount suspended for Week 1, Gray figures to start the Patriots' regular season opener, but assuming no further injury issues, Blount remains on track to serve as the Patriots' top "big back," an assignment that should result in plenty of early-down work for the 6-0, 250-pounder.