Another Monday morning, and another day of full pads for the Patriots, as the team suited up for its 19th practice this summer, under hazy skies and hot, humid temperatures.

Some good news on the injury front, as TE Benjamin Watson and DL Le Kevin Smith returned to action, and rookie OL Rich Ohrnberger, who had been on the PUP list, took the field for the first time this camp.

Coming off a Sunday evening practice that saw six players return to action after prolonged layoffs, one of them, OLB Shawn Crable, did not take part in the Monday morning session. He did speak to reporters Sunday after the workout, and he appeared in fine condition, so perhaps his absence is a designed move by the training staff to help him work his way back into playing shape.

Other players not out there to start this new week included WR Joey Galloway, CB Shawn Springs, LB Paris Lenon (who was seen leaving the field with a trainer during Sunday’s practice), LB Tedy Bruschi, OL Stephen Neal, OL George Bussey, DL Jarvis Green, and DL Mike Wright.  Rookie WR Brandon Tate (NFI list)] and OL Mark LeVoir, the remaining player on PUP, were also absent.

Noteworthy plays/observations:

* During a pass-rushing drill, in which outside linebackers took on tight ends, newcomer Derrick Burgess went up against Benjamin Watson, and it was no contest. Burgess locked onto Watson’s shoulder pads with both hands and threw the tight end to the ground. Later, against the offensive line in a similar drill, Burgess bull-rushed tackle Wesley Britt into the backfield. He had less success on his next attempt versus tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, who pancaked Burgess.

* The Play of the day was made by rookie WR Terrence Nunn, who continues his training camp hot streak.  During 7-on-7 work, Nunn ran a go-route down the numbers on the right side, with fellow rookie Darius Butler covering. Rookie QB Brian Hoyer lofted a pass Nunn’s way, but it was slightly behind him. When Nunn looked up and noticed where the ball was, he adjusted by leaping and twisting his body counter-clockwise. As he secured the ball with both hands, his body nearly parallel to the ground, Nunn was crunched simultaneously by Butler and rookie safety Pat Chung. Nunn held on, however, and, for his effort, received a raucous applause from the crowd.  Nunn made another spectacular catch on a pass thrown behind him in 11-on-11 action. He reached back with both hands and snagged the ball right before it appeared that it was headed for an interception.

* One player who hasn’t been helping himself of late is rookie WR Shun White of Navy. The Midshipman dropped some passes during individual drills, with no one covering him. Then, in 7-on-7 work, he’d beaten the double-coverage down the left sideline, but dropped the perfectly thrown pass from Hoyer. To his credit, White did make some catches when it counted, but his numerous drops have stood out more.

* Veteran RB Fred Taylor has shown dramatic improvement in his receiving skills. During spring practices, Taylor appeared to struggle catching the ball out of the backfield. In recent practices, however, Taylor’ s hands have become glue. He’s snatching nearly every ball that’s thrown in his vicinity, even the more difficult ones.

* Kicker Stephen Gostkowski made all of his half-dozen or so field goals at the end of practice. Not unusual for the All-Pro, but he did so with different snappers and holders alternating in and out of the lineup. Hoyer got some reps at holder, spelling punter Chris Hanson.

* Patriots owner Robert Kraft was seen patroling the sidelines for a while Monday morning.