FOXBORO – The Patriots are getting healthy at the right time.

On Thursday, the Pats were missing just Mike Gillislee (knee) from practice, which took place inside the Empower Field House. Eric Lee (ankle) returned after being absent on Wednesday. The defensive end played in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets.

This week also marked the return of Alan Branch (knee) and Rex Burkhead (knee) to practice. Malcolm Mitchell (knee) and Chris Hogan [...]

FOXBORO – The Patriots are getting healthy at the right time.

On Thursday, the Pats were missing just Mike Gillislee (knee) from practice, which took place inside the Empower Field House. Eric Lee (ankle) returned after being absent on Wednesday. The defensive end played in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets.

This week also marked the return of Alan Branch (knee) and Rex Burkhead (knee) to practice. Malcolm Mitchell (knee) and Chris Hogan (shoulder) have also been back with the Patriots. Hogan was named one of the practice players of the week from his work last week, which is a good sign for the receiver’s availability come the playoffs.

The fact that the Patriots were only missing one player, who happens to be injured, also suggests that no Patriots players were late due to the snowstorm. In 2013, Brandon Spikes got in trouble with the team after his SUV got stuck in his drive way. In 2009, Bill Belichick sent four players home - Adalius Thomas, Randy Moss, Gary Guyton and Derrick Burgess – for being late to a team meeting during a snowstorm.