Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is reportedly expected to miss a couple weeks of practice after sustaining a shoulder injury Sunday.

On Tuesday, Bill Belichick didn’t sound worried about his new starting tight end.

“I would say he’s day-to-day,” Belichick said during a morning press conference. “As players improve — this goes for everybody not just specifically him — but as players improve and they can do more, then we can gradually work him into things. It’s a little different than the regular season where guys go on different lists.”

Belichick later added: “He’ll come back as he can come back, and we have many other players in that same category.”

According to an ESPN report, Henry’s injury is “not serious,” and his recovery timeline should put the 26-year-old on track to return for Week 1.

Henry was seen walking off the practice field Sunday and did not return for Monday’s padded practice. Along with fellow free-agent addition Jonnu Smith, Henry is expected to help transform the Patriots offense into a two-tight end attack that better facilitates the power running game the team developed last year and grow a more dangerous passing attack.

Through nine practices, Henry caught just 50% of his targets in competitive team drills, while defenders knocked away five passes thrown in his direction. He’s shown an ability to find the soft spots in zone and win contested catches, but his production has lagged far behind Smith’s in training camp. Still, Belichick doesn’t seem concerned.

“Hunter’s a smart guy, he has a lot of experience. He’s been here and done everything that we’ve done as a team, and so when we get him back, we’ll get him back there, and the pace and the schedule that fits his physical situation, but he’ll continue to make progress,” Belichick said. “There’s still a lot of things that he can do.”

THOUGH FORMER PLAYERS often swing by Patriots training camp, none has attended more sessions than Tedy Bruschi this summer.

The longtime linebacker isn’t a simple spectator either. He often has Belichick’s ear on the sideline, and on Tuesday morning, the coach expounded a bit on what their conversations have entailed.

“Look, we’re happy to have all players come back. We welcome them back,” Belichick said on a video conference call. “We’ve had several and I’m sure we’ll have more. So we’re always happy to see those guys. Tedy especially obviously had a great career here. Was a very, not only good player, but inspirational player and had a lot of leadership. I know that our players – both our veteran players and our younger players – have enjoyed talking to him. As the coaches, Tedy brings a great perspective on his playing career, a new generation of players and other things that he’s experienced.

“So I always enjoy talking to Tedy. I’ve learned a lot from him. Our conversations this year – and we talk at other points during the season as well from time to time – but his insight is always valuable and he has a great perspective and a lot of insight that I appreciate.”

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