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Two of the four New England Patriots players on the NFL physically unable to perform list returned to practice Wednesday, officially starting the clock on the three-week period during which Patriots officials can evaluate them.

Wide receiver Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson began practicing with the club. Two other players on the PUP list, defensive lineman Richard Seymour and wide receiver Troy Brown, remained out of practice.

By league rule, this is the first week that PUP players can practice. Teams have until Nov. 6 to have players on the physically unable to perform list begin practicing. Once a player does practice, his team then has three weeks to determine whether to elevate him to the active roster or keep him on PUP for the rest of the season.

A second-round choice in the 2006 draft, Chad Jackson appeared in 12 games for the Pats in 2006, catching 13 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns. The former University of Florida star also returned three punts for 76 yards and one kickoff for 21 yards.

But in the AFC Championship Game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was limited through the spring and summer.

Given the depth New England enjoys at wide receiver, it could be difficult for Jackson to get playing time, but Patriots coaches feel he is a talented player who remains in the team's plans for the future.

Eddie Jackson is a three-year veteran who has played with Carolina (2004) and Miami (2005-06) and who signed with New England as a free agent in the offseason. He is coming off an anterior cruciate injury suffered with the Dolphins last season.

If he is healthy, however, he could contribute in the New England secondary and on special teams coverage units.

The former Arkansas standout has appeared in 39 games and has 13 tackles and five passes defensed for his career.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here .