Zach Miller, Eddie Royal remain sidelined by concussions

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Tight end Zach Miller walked off the field with a smile. He had just practiced in some fashion for the third consecutive day after suffering a concussion on July 31.

“It’s just day to day, just continue to get better and ease your way into it,” Miller said.

But that was Monday.

On Tuesday, Miller was a late arrival at Gillette Stadium because he was meeting with a doctor, coach John Fox said. Miller also remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“We keep evaluating, keep looking and trying to make sure we cure all symptoms,” Fox said.

Did Miller experience a setback?

“No setbacks, no new prognosis,” Fox said. “When they’re ready to come out, they’ll come out.”

That would include veteran receiver Eddie Royal, who also was late to practice.

A day after some limited work with his helmet on, Royal was a non-participant. Royal’s recent on-the-field work had been lighter than Miller’s.

More injury news

Cornerback Bryce Callahan didn’t practice. Fox said he was out because of a muscle strain, but did not specify which muscle.

“[It’s] make sure we’re trying to heal him and get him healthy before Thursday [for the preseason game],” Fox said.

Linebacker Danny Trevathan was given a day off. He has been dealing with an ailing knee, but Fox said Trevathan’s inactivity was “just rest.”

Running back Ka’Deem Carey and safety DeAndre Houston-Carson wore non-contact jerseys as they recover from concussions.

Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (hamstring) and tight end Ben Braunecker (ankle) also remain out.

Praise for Long

New England coach Bill Belichick offered some high praise for Bears guard Kyle Long when he answered a question about his brother, Chris, the Patriots’ new defensive end, and his father, Howie, the Hall-of-Fame end and current broadcaster.

“Kyle, he’s a different kind of athlete,” Belichick said. “That kid’s big. He’s athletic. He’s long. I don’t know, 325 or 330 [pounds], whatever he is. He’s well put together with a lot of strength and a lot of athleticism. That kid is a really good player.

“Again, that’s given us another – we talked about matchups – another really good player to work against, along with their [defensive] front seven.”

Where’s Shea?

Former Bears linebacker Shea McClellin was a no show again for the Patriots at practice as he deals with an apparent injury.

McClellin’s versatility has turned into asset for the Patriots’ defense. McClellin, the Bears’ first-round pick in 2012, signed a three-year, $9.05 million contract with the Patriots.

“Shea has done a good job,” Belichick said. “Shea has worked hard. He’s a smart kid. He runs well. He’s athletic. He has a good set of skills, so he has been productive for us in camp and in the one [preseason] game we’ve had.”