Kaczur returns to the fold

Tackle welcomed back to shorthanded unit

Offensive lineman Nick Kaczur goes through a blocking drill before coach Dante Scarnecchia on his first day back from the physically unable to perform list. (ROBERT E. KLEIN/FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots activated offensive tackle Nick Kaczur from the physically unable to perform list yesterday, a move that marked Kaczur's return to the field for the first time since his off-field troubles with OxyContin.

Kaczur, who did not speak with reporters, participated in both practices, lining up with the second string.

"It's good to get Nick out there," coach Bill Belichick said.

Kaczur's return comes at a time the Patriots have been operating shorthanded on the offensive line. Starting right guard Stephen Neal remains on the PUP list, as does veteran tackle Oliver Ross.

Third-year player Wesley Britt has primarily been lining up at Kaczur's starting right tackle spot. Kaczur, who plays both tackle spots, lined up on the left side yesterday.

"Nick's been a good player for us; he's played a couple different spots," Belichick said. "We will probably be able to use that versatility now that our numbers are a little bit low. Hopefully they will climb back soon."

He's old school
The Patriots have been in full pads for six of their first seven practices. Belichick explained that he's been calling for more full-padded practices in each of the last two years.

"We've kind of gone back to a little bit of the older-school way, the way it was earlier - in 2000 and '01 - where it was a lot of time on fundamentals and techniques," he said. "You hope that can carry you through the course of the season and that you can continue to be a good fundamental and technique team. As you go through the year, you're not spending as much time on it, because you have to deal with all the schematic things that you face from week to week."

Moving on up
Second-round draft choice Terrence Wheatley worked with the top-unit defense for both of yesterday's practices, taking the place of ninth-year veteran Jason Webster, who wasn't present for the workouts. At times, the 5-foot-9-inch, 189-pound Wheatley found himself lining up across from Randy Moss (6-4, 210 pounds), which he said was invaluable experience.

"You have to make the most of your opportunity running with the 1s, and be able to go out there and show what you got," Wheatley said, noting that adjusting to the speed of the game has been his biggest adjustment.

Fellow rookie Jonathan Wilhite, the team's fourth-round draft choice out of Auburn, also saw his opportunities increase, playing in the slot with the top group.

Outside maneuvers
With Mike Vrabel still on the PUP list, third-year man Pierre Woods (6-5, 250 pounds) has filled the void at outside linebacker with the first unit throughout camp and he's caught Belichick's eye.

"He's playing with a lot of confidence both in the running game and the passing game," Belichick said. "We know he is athletic and can play on special teams [team-leading 22 tackles in 2007], but he seems to have taken the opportunity to get a little more playing time in camp and raised his level of play so far."

In the red
The team spent considerable time in yesterday's practices working inside the 20-yard line, which was an Achilles' heel for much of last season. Belichick said the team would do similar situational work in ensuing practices. Along those lines, during the afternoon workout, Belichick was seen squirting the football with a water bottle in an attempt to make the center/quarterback exchange more challenging . . . Starting left tackle Matt Light did not participate in either of yesterday's practices . . . The Patriots waived offensive lineman Lav Bauta and signed Tim McMahon, a first-year offensive lineman from Iowa . . . Belichick surprised the crowd by signing autographs after yesterday's morning practice. . . . Rain forced the team to move the afternoon session inside the Dana-Farber Field House . . . The Patriots have one practice scheduled for today (2:30 p.m.).

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.