“He missed so much playing time – practice time and play time – during training camp and the preseason, so this is almost, these last three weeks, kinda almost been like his preseason, unfortunately,“ Belichick answered.

"I think that practicing on a daily basis, playing on a regular basis, that’s what he needed to do. I think he’s still got a long way to go, he’s probably where a lot of our guys were in September, just because he missed all of August. His timing, his overall reaction, execution, all those things, are OK. They are coming along, but I like to think they’ll be better now that he’s starting to get into game shape and reacting like you have to react on the football field, both mentally and physically.

"He’s doing some good things, but he’s still got a long way to go. The fact that he’s been out there, finally, on a consistent basis to practice and play, nothing’s helped him more than that.”