FOXBORO -- The sheriff has returned.

Like a plain-spoken good guy in a Clint Eastwood movie riding back into town to restore order, the three-time All-Pro left guard returned to the practice field for the first time Sunday afternoon after undergoing offseason surgery on his right knee. Mankins will try and bring some stability to an offensive line that’s struggled throughout the spring and summer.

“I always felt like we were here to do a job, so you should be out there practicing and playing,” Mankins said. “The first few weeks of camp, it was tough not to be out there, but it was something that had to be done.”

The sight of the Northern California native and former steer roper returning to action -- even in shorts and shells -- should be a welcome sight for a Patriots’ offensive line that has struggled to keep it together as of late because of retirement (left tackle Matt Light), injury (right tackle Sebastian Vollmer) and uncertainty (right guard Brian Waters hasn’t reported to camp to this point).

But it’s not just Mankins’ high level of play that’s been missing. The leader of the offensive linemen in the wake of Light’s retirement, Mankins brings an edge, a snarl to the New England offensive line.

“He’s a great leader on our team and tough guy. It’s great to see him out here, especially with what he’s had to overcome this offseason,” said wide receiver Wes Welker, who returned quickly from his own knee injury following the 2009 season. “I definitely have an appreciation for what he’s had to go though this offseason. … Logan’s about as tough as they come. For him to be out on the field, that doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

Mankins, who suffered a torn right ACL sometime before the Super Bowl, said the doubt surrounding the state of the offensive line caused him to try and get back as soon as possible.

“Well, I knew I needed to be here, as one of the older guys of the line to help out the younger guys -- lead by example, stuff like that,” he said. “My job is to play football so I’m going to do everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible.

“If I can run, I’m not going to sit. I’m here to play football, not to watch and collect a check.”

The left guard, who said he was injured during the 2011 regular season, confirmed Sunday he played in the Super Bowl with a torn right ACL. (Asked how you do something like that, Mankins shrugged and replied: “I don’t know. Put a brace on. Tape an aspirin to it and go.”) In the wake of the offseason surgery, Mankins was sidelined throughout the spring practice sessions, working in a t-shirt and shorts off to the side while his teammates banged heads.

“I’ve never been hurt really, so not being out at practice, is something new for me, which I didn’t enjoy too much. But it’s good to be back out and trying to get better as fast as possible,” he said. “In years’ past, I was always one of the guys who made fun of the guys that were hurt. Now, I got put in that position.”

On Sunday, he described the rehab process as “tedious,” but Mankins’ coach applauded the efforts of 30-year-old to get back as soon as possible.

“He’s worked hard. Nobody has worked harder than Logan,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who confirmed that Mankins was removed from the PUP list earlier in the day. “He comes in early, stays late, works hard. We know he’s a really tough, dependable guy and he’s put a lot into it. He’s worked as hard as anybody can.”

The Patriots have shuffled plenty of bodies in and out of the offensive line as they try and locate replacements for the injured and shore up their depth. Mankins, who described it as a “weird camp” for the offensive line because of all the maneuvering, said the guys who have stuck have been “working hard,” despite the fact that they've been occasionally shorthanded.

“I think there was a few practices where we had eight or nine guys -- that’s pretty tough during camp, not having two full lines,” he said. “I think the guys are in good shape. They’ve been working hard, and they’re working hard on their plays. They’re getting better each day. I think they did a good job in the game the other night. They gave us some things to build off of.”

Mankins, who played next to left tackle Matt Light for the better part of the last seven seasons before Light retired in the offseason, now must become accustomed to a new face next to him at tackle in Nate Solder, who is entering his second year in the league. Despite Solder’s rough start to the preseason, Mankins has full faith Solder will eventually reach the same level.

“I have a lot of confidence in Nate,” Mankins said. “Nate’s one of those guys who’s going to do anything in his power to get better and to work hard. He’s always lifting, always running. If you’ve seen him, he’s in phenomenal shape. And he’s a great athlete. And he’s got the mindset to work hard. He does what the coaches ask him. The advice we give him, he takes it to heart and tries to do it. He’s going to do a great job, and we expect him to do a great job.”

On Sunday, Mankins was able to participate in drills with his fellow linemen, but steered clear of the 11-on-11 sessions, instead giving way to Donald Thomas and Nick McDonald. He did get some individual work in on the heavy bag, but mostly stood and watched the action when positions drills were done.

Despite the lack of action, he called his return “a big step” in the process, but per the new CBA, he must spend two days in shells before he can put the pads on. After that, he said he’s unsure as to whether or not he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season on Sept. 9 against Tennessee.

“I don’t know. I wish I knew,” he said. “How long do we have? A few more weeks? I’d like to think I’ll be able to, but I don’t know. We’re taking it slow right now, so it’s hard to tell.”