Mankins made his return from knee surgery Friday night.
Logan Mankins.Logan Mankins made his return to the field and played in a few offensive series in his first game action since having his right knee surgically repaired during the offseason.
Mankins told reporters that he was on a play-limit during Friday’s 30-28 loss to Tampa Bay and was forced to go the sidelines midway through his second series. He said he felt fine after the game.
“I survived,” Mankins said. “I didn’t get anyone killed out there.”
His teammates also did, though. With right tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back) dressed but playing in his first game back since being removed from the physically unable to perform list, New England was once again forced to employ a patchwork offensive line.
As has been the case throughout the preseason, the group struggled. Only this time Tom Brady played three quarters, so the mistakes were magnified. The low point came when backup right tackle Marcus Cannon was beaten off the edge and gave up a strip sack. 
But as bad as it was, Mankins believes there is room for growth.
”How does a team respond from this? Do we learn from it, do we improve from it? Does it motivate us to work harder, study harder?” Mankins told reporters. ”I think any time you have as many plays go the way we did that were disappointing, I think you just have to see how the team sees those plays and responds to those plays.”