New England Patriots running back Ty Montgomery returned to the practice field Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with an illness. He was joined by a new kicker who is expected to compete with rookie Chad Ryland for the starting job going forward.

Kicker Matthew Wright, who was reported to have signed with the practice squad earlier this week, was spotted wearing No. 47 during the portion of warmups open to reporters. That number was previously worn by practice squad wide receiver Matthew Sexton.

Wright was cut from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on Tuesday and has yet to attempt a field goal this season, but through four years in the league he has gone 40 for 46 on field goal attempts for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs. He could start for the Patriots Sunday after Ryland missed a 35-yard field goal for the second consecutive game this past weekend.

In addition, rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) were not spotted during warmups. Douglas didn’t practice on Wednesday either and Boutte had been a limited participant.