Bill Belichick: 'Good to have Shane Vereen back in practice'

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has welcomed Shane Vereen's return to the practice field.

Vereen has been missing for the Patriots since breaking his wrist earlier in the campaign.

The running back had an excellent game in his only appearance of the campaign so far, helping his team to a win over the Buffalo Bills back on the opening weekend.

Belichick told The Boston Herald: "It's good to have Shane back on the field. This will really be an opportunity for us to evaluate this week kind of where he is, give him some harder assignments and see how he's doing.

"He's been able to be active and participate, but I'd say it will be a higher level of competition for him this week on the practice field, as it should be. Gradually escalate the intensity of it and see how it goes."

The Patriots face NFC playoff hopefuls the Carolina Panthers this weekend.