Trent Brown still has work to do to step into the New England Patriots’ vacant left tackle spot. But the very big man has a chance to play almost as big a role on the offensive line.

Brown, a 6-foot-8, 380-pound tackle, is the biggest man on the roster and spent most of his time playing left tackle with the starters at the team’s Thursday’s practice.

He played right tackle during this first three seasons in San Francisco but is in the mix to replace Nate Solder on the left side for the Patriots. New England traded a third-round pick for Brown and an eighth-round pick after Solder signed with the New York Giants as a free agent.

Coach Bill Belichick was pleased with his progress so far.

“Trent has had some limitations in what he can do but he’s worked hard. He’s working his way back in there,” Belichick said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s been limited, not by his choice, just the situation that he was in, but he’s worked hard and he’s acclimated himself. I think that he’s working well with the team so we’ll see how it goes.”

He’s been limited by a shoulder injury that cost him six games last season and limited him in the summer. He said it’s not hampering him.

“Take it day by day. It’s getting better. Shoulder is fine,” he said. “I have to work out every day and do my exercises but the shoulder is fine.”

Brown said working with offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and being a Patriot has lived up to expectations.

“It’s exactly what I thought. It’s great. It’s a different culture. There’s more expected of you,” he said. “I feel like I’m learning. (Scarnecchia) is more detailed with every athlete in his room.”

Brown said he didn’t think protecting the blind side of aging star quarterback Tom Brady added pressure to him. “If you’re out there in that first five, there’s a lot of responsibility regardless (of who is at quarterback).”

A NUMBER of high-profile players are holding out for new contracts as training camps opened across the NFL this week.

Rob Gronkowski was not among them.

The Patriots’ tight end reported for camp the same as every year, coming out in full capacity and looking strong during the team’s no-contact practice.

Gronkowski has been leveraging for a new contract but isn’t letting it affect his attendance.

“There’s one thing I can do, one thing I can worry about and there’s one thing I can control,” Gronkowski said. “That’s myself, that’s my play, that’s me going out there and doing what I’ve got to do to help the team.”

Gronkowski, who referred to contract negotiations as an “internal” issue, said that he never considered holding out of camp.

“No, I haven’t even come close to considering that,” he said. “Not even one bit.”

Gronkowski has two years remaining on his six-year, $54 million deal, which pays an average annual salary of $9 million. He ranks as the fourth highest-paid tight end in the NFL by annual pay.

IN WEEK one, Brandin Cooks will be a Los Angeles Ram. Danny Amendola will be a Miami Dophin and Julian Edelman will be serving the first of a four-game suspension.

Chris Hogan will be by far the most experienced Patriot wide receiver. In his third year in Foxborough, Hogan is eager to take on the leadership that comes with that experience.

“I try to be one of those guys if people come to me with questions,” Hogan said. “I answer their questions and talk to them if they’re confused about something, whether it’s on the field or not of the field. I try to be a leader in that room for those guys.”

There’s a competition around him. Philip Dorsett and Kenny Britt were added last year and will try to contribute in their first full year. Free agents Jordan Matthews and Cordarrelle Patterson will have chances. Hogan considers himself part of that competition.

“The competition brings out the best in people. It’s great that we have such a great room and a lot of guys that want to compete,” Hogan said.

BELICHICK NEVER coached with Tony Sparano, but the two shared a Bill Parcells connection and competed against each other many times.

Sparano, offensive line coach for the Vikings since 2016, died unexpectedly of arteriosclerotic heart disease last week. At Thursday’s practice, Belichick paid tribute to Sparano, who spent 19 years as an assistant and head coach in the NFL.

“He was a great associate and a person, and family I have a lot of respect for,” Belichick said. “I never coached with Tony on the same staff, but relationship came as competitors and I have a lot of respect for him. Obviously it’s an unfortunate day for us and a sad day for the Vikings, and the National Football League.”

Among the highlights of Sparano’s career was a 38-13 win over the Patriots in 2008, when he introduced the wildcat to the NFL. Belichick was asked what he remembered about it.

“Yeah, it wasn’t a great day for the Patriots,” he said.