Cam Newton returned to the New England Patriots facility Thursday and practiced after missing three straight days due to a COVID-19 protocol "misunderstanding," with Bill Belichick saying Newton "didn't violate team rules."

Belichick mostly referred to the team's statement -- which said that the club approved Newton leaving the New England region for a medical appointment -- when asked about how the "misunderstanding" occurred.

"I don't really have anything to add. We released a statement, and I think that covered it as thoroughly as we can without getting into a lengthy thing. So we'll just leave it at that," Belichick said.