FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots veteran defensive lineman Alan Branch returned to practice on Friday.

Branch missed Thursday’s practice for a non-injury-related reason. The 6-foot-6, 325 pound lineman was signed by the team on Wednesday. He is expected to provide the defense with another presence in stopping the run, as he can play a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 defensive tackle.

The Patriots continue to be without defensive end Chandler Jones, who missed yet another practice as he is dealing with a hip injury.

Practice squad wide receiver Jonathan Krause was also not spotted during the open media stretching portion of practice. Krause, a rookie out of Vanderbilt, was signed on Oct. 24 to the practice squad.

While there were no new practice squad players present, Krause’s absence could coincide with the Patriots possibly re-signing linebacker Deontae Skinner to the practice squad. Skinner was on the team’s active roster before his release on Wednesday to make room for Branch. The Patriots likely want him back on the practice squad.

The Patriots were practicing in sweats and shells.