Brian Waters expected back at camp?

ESPNBoston

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday that he wasn't surprised by the absence of veteran offensive lineman Brian Waters.

Waters has not reported for camp, and Belichick described the situation as similar to the team's mandatory minicamp in June when Waters was an "excused for personal reasons."

Asked if he expected Waters to ultimately show up for the regular season, Belichick said: "We'll take it day to day. There is no long-term plan."

Obviously one of the biggest questions heading into Bill Belichick's press conference this afternoon was on the Brian Waters situation. I laid out my thoughts on Water's importance earlier. Its good to hear confirmation that nothing has changed since minicamps and that Waters is excused. It doesn't give much more clarity than that but my expectation and seemingly Belichick's would be for Waters to return at some point in camp.