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Calling his time away from the team "a long four weeks," starting strong safety Rodney Harrison returned to practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday morning, having completed his four-week suspension for his admission that he purchased and used HGH. It is not yet known if Harrison, regarded as the leader of the New England secondary, will play in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. The Patriots have a roster exemption until Oct. 8 but can rescind it at any time. Harrison, 34, said he feels he is close to be ready to play. "I've been working out twice a day, pretty much doing everything from on-the-field work to [being in] the weight room to my usual yoga and Pilates," Harrison told local reporters. "I was just doing a lot of different things that I do in order to stay in shape for training camp. I'm ready to go." The 14th-year veteran was actually back at the team complex Tuesday, the first day he was eligible to return from the suspension, working out. He was welcomed back by some of his teammates who were at the complex after Monday night's victory at Cincinnati. Harrison said his teammates have been "supportive" and "encouraging" during his absence and that he has stayed in close contact with many of them. Third-year veteran James Sanders has started all four games for New England at the strong safety spot in replacing Harrison in the lineup and has played well for the unbeaten Patriots. But it is likely just a matter of time until Harrison regains his starting position. Coach Bill Belichick will likely use the entire week to evaluate Harrison's conditioning before making a determination about his status for Sunday's game. Harrison said that he is preparing as if he will play and readying himself for the challenge of perhaps facing Kellen Winslow, the Browns' standout tight end. "Whatever [Belichick] decides," Harrison said. "If he wants me to be out there, I'm ready. If he doesn't, that's on him. But I'm always ready to play football." As first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Aug. 31, Harrison conceded to league and law enforcements officials that he used HGH, which is on the NFL banned substances list. Later that evening, in a conference call with reporters, Harrison reiterated that and stressed that he obtained HGH two years ago to help accelerate the healing from a knee injury. "I've made no excuses and I will not make excuses," a contrite Harrison said at the time. "I sent the wrong message with my actions. This is a mistake and this is something that I've done and have to pay for." On Wednesday, Harrison said he would not elaborate any further on his thought process in turning to the HGH. He reiterated he made a mistake, however, and said that, while people have attacked his character, that is part of the price he has paid for his actions. "Don't make bad decisions," Harrison said Wednesday. "That would be my message. That's it. Like I said before, whatever decisions you make in your life, there will be consequences, good and bad. The important thing is, you learn from it. You continue to grow and hopefully you don't make similar mistakes." The four-game suspension cost Harrison $470,588 of his scheduled 2007 base salary of $2 million. It marked the second suspension of Harrison's career. In 2002, he was suspended one game by the league for a helmet-to-helmet hit on then-Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Rice. Harrison has also been fined over $200,000 by the league for his aggressive play. Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com. |