Watson steps lively

TE isn't slowed by ankle surgery

FOXBOROUGH - It's always tough to gauge injuries with the Patriots, a team that guards such information as if they were the launch codes for the US nuclear arsenal, but tight end Benjamin Watson's left ankle has certainly passed the eye test the last two days.

Watson, who had surgery in March to repair his left ankle, was absent from the first practice of training camp Thursday. However, the tight end participated in his second straight practice yesterday - he was on the field for the evening session Thursday - and said the only thing knocking him off stride is rust.

"I definitely feel like I'm catching up. Missing minicamp is always [tough]. Just the little things," said Watson. "Obviously, I can come out here and run around and be out here, but it's just the little things like your reads, your eyes, seeing things, the game slowing down for you. Those are things you have to get used to."

One thing Watson has gotten used to is battling injuries. The fifth-year tight end started his career in 2004 by blowing out a knee in his first game. He missed three games in 2006 with a left knee injury, and four last year because of the ankle. When he got hurt in the sixth game of the 2007 season, against the Dallas Cowboys, Watson already had a career-high five touchdowns.

He's trying to build on that fast start.

"It gives me some confidence and it gives me something to shoot for to surpass, just knowing that I can go out there and play well on this level," said Watson, who had 36 receptions for 389 yards and six scores last season.

What's not clear is if Watson will be at practice every day.

"I'm on a schedule where if they tell me I'm going, I'm going; if they tell me I'm not, I'm not," said Watson. "I'm pretty much a hired hand around here, and I do what they tell me to do."

If the Patriots tried to protect Watson, it would make sense. Last year during training camp, the team found itself shorthanded at tight end. For once, it has a full complement, with Watson joined by David Thomas, Marcus Pollard, and Stephen Spach.

"We're placing bets on how long it's going to stay that way," joked Watson. "At this position in training camp, we always seem to be a couple of tight ends short, but it's good to have everybody here now."

Jackson impresses

Chad Jackson is taking advantage of the opportunity that has arisen with Wes Welker, who is on the physically unable to perform list.

The third-year wide receiver drew praise from coach Bill Belichick and earned a high five from quarterback Tom Brady during practice. This is Jackson's first real training camp, since he was on the PUP list last year as he recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and missed significant time in camp his rookie season with a slow-healing hamstring.

"Chad is a terrific athlete. He's worked very hard," said Belichick. "His receiving skills have improved. His understanding of the offense is obviously a lot better, and he's still a very talented physical athlete. He's off to a good start based on the spring and training camp. I'm excited to see him out there."

As for the high five from Brady, "I can't remember really what it was [for]," said Jackson. "Probably something good. Obviously, I just got to keep that up, and hopefully, I'll get more of those."

Thomas settles in

Linebacker Adalius Thomas said he feels a lot more comfortable in his second training camp as a Patriot.

"Just knowing what to expect, knowing everybody's name, knowing [the media], then knowing the players and understanding the concept of what you're trying to get accomplished, that makes it a lot easier," he said.

Thomas received a helmet head butt from Brady after knocking down one of the quarterback's passes. Thomas joked that he and the franchise QB were going to have a retirement wrestling match to settle the issue.

"If Tom is not here [today], then you know he lost," said Thomas. "We're going to have a press conference here at 12, and all you guys are welcome to come. If I have a press conference, you'll know that I lost."

Yes, boss

Pollard, who played seven seasons with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, had the quote of the day when asked about playing with Brady. "For me, he's the field general," said Pollard. "If he tells me to hide eggs, then I'm going to hide eggs, even if it's not Easter. That's my mentality because he's the quarterback, and when he's on the field, he's running the show." . . . The Patriots practiced outdoors after being forced by rain to spend both practices Thursday inside the Dana-Farber Field House. "It is just a little tight [indoors]," said Belichick. "You have 60 yards out there compared to 240 outside. It felt a little bit like a regular-season practice, but we got a lot of things done. It's good to have space and be able to spread out the guys and not worry about them running into each other." . . . With Stephen Neal out and Nick Kaczur on the PUP list, Billy Yates (right guard) and Wesley Britt (right tackle) saw a lot of first-team repetitions . . . Rookie running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis was removed from the PUP list and practiced. That leaves the Patriots with 11 players on the list . . . Defensive end Richard Seymour and offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski were not present at practice . . . The Patriots are scheduled to have two practices today. They will be closed to the public because there is a country music concert at Gillette Stadium.

Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.