It was only a first step but tight end Tony Scheffler practiced briefly for the first time since training camp began.

The second-year player had been on the physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from a broken bone in his left foot.

Scheffler drew sarcastic oohs and ahhs from teammates as he caught a pass in offensive drills prior to team work. He was in street clothes by the time practice was over. But the plan is to work him in slowly, with hopes of having him be a full-time participant in about a week.

"It's pretty much healed," he said of his foot, which he first injured May 21. "Getting the soreness out is all I'm working on."

Scheffler gauged it might take a couple days to get re-adjusted to running plays in practice instead of merely studying the playbook.

"But," he added, "physically I think I'm stronger than I've ever been."