SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who nearly lost his life from complications following gastric bypass surgery last month, is expected to return to work in a limited role next week, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday as the Super Bowl champions opened training camp with an afternoon practice.

"His situation is a lot better than it was," Belichick said. "We're just trying now to get him rehabilitated so that he can come back. It's just going to take a little more time."

Belichick did not discuss how much Weis will be able to tolerate or for how long the veteran assistant coach can work every day. As detailed by ESPN's Chris Mortensen earlier this week, Weis, who has battled weight problems much of his career, underwent the surgery because he felt it might eventually help him land a head coaching job.

But the day after he was sent home following surgery, Weis suffered internal bleeding, and his situation became grave enough at one point that he was administered last rites. Weis is currently undergoing rehabilitation at a facility not far from the Pats' training camp site, but cannot walk, and probably won't be fully ambulatory for three months.

A few players said Friday that they thought Weis might use a motorized wheel chair to get around the practice fields. But it remains unclear whether Weis will even get onto the field or if he will participate only in planning sessions.

In the past week, New England officials said, Weis has been able to aid Belichick in the planning of training camp practices. Belichick has functioned as the quarterbacks coach in Weis' absence, and the rest of the offensive staff has taken over some of the work that he would have been doing.

Belichick acknowledged after Friday's practice that the staff was taxed a bit by the extra work but that the coaches were all doing their part.

"It's a scramble, a little bit, but it will work," he said.

One moment of levity occurred when Belichick was asked if he felt some coaches had been held back because of their physical appearance. "I think I've proven that you can overcome that one," he said.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.