Rob Gronkowski, Dion Lewis finally see practice field for New England Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England's final day of media access this spring -- the Patriots have two more closed OTA sessions before departing Foxborough until training camp in late July -- saw All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and electric passing back Dion Lewis hit the practice field for the first time with reporters in attendance.

Gronkowski has been doing, as Bill Belichick described it, "other things," while his teammates had been taking part in OTA workouts and mini-camp in recent weeks.

But on Monday, big No. 87 was back on the field with the rest of the Patriots, and as is so often the case, was arguably the best player in attendance. He certainly didn't look like a guy dealing with a physical ailment of any sort as he caught every pass thrown his way and ran his routes to perfection.

"It felt great," Gronkowski said. "It's always good to be out there with your teammates, working with your teammates in individual drills, team drills, just being out there, getting on the same page, just getting into flow with them. It's always good to get back out on the field."

As for his absence, Gronkowski stuck with his coach's description of things.

"I was just doing other things, as Coach aid last week, so everything's good," Gronkowski said. "We were just working on other things so everything's all smooth, everything's good."

Lewis has been continuing to rehab this spring as he works back from a torn ACL sustained last Nov. 8 against the Washington Redskins. It's been a tumultuous first year-plus in New England for the dynamic passing back.

He joined the team on a futures contract in December of 2014, and was a breakout star in seven games early last season with 622 yards from scrimmage, including 36 receptions, earning a contract extension before he landed on injured reserve.

"A little rusty," Lewis said shortly after his return to the practice field. "Just trying to be myself again. Still trying to get better and stronger every day. Felt OK. Happy to be back out there with my teammates. It's been a while, so, just having fun. Good to be part of the team again.

"I'm just following the trainers' advice and doing whatever they tell me to do. Following their lead and working as hard as I can. Every day is different. I just do what I'm told."

Lewis admitted it was "extremely hard" watching the second half of last season and the playoffs as an injured bystander in New England for a team that eventually came up short in the AFC title game in Denver.

"I'm just happy to be out here today," Lewis said. "We've got a long way to go, high expectations. I wouldn't consider it a milestone or a checkpoint. I just consider it another day working.

"Just getting back to playing football. Being out there and actually doing stuff you hear about in meetings. It's fun to be out there. I miss being out there."

Certainly seeing Gronkowski and Lewis -- arguably New England's two most athletic offensive stars -- back on the field for practice is a bright spot for quarterback Tom Brady and Patriots fans.

Even though the likes of wide receivers Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee) remained absent from the field, it's a step toward putting together the full complement of weapons that might be among the best Brady's had to work with in a long time.

Is getting Gronkowski and Lewis back, even for a single OTA session in shorts and helmets a positive sign for New England? Let Belichick temper June enthusiasm with his characteristically monotonic answer to that question.

"I don't know, I guess," Belichick said in what will be his last words with the New England media until the opening of training camp about a month and a half from now at Gillette Stadium.