"Who could blame Joseph Addai for sporting a grin as he considered pulling on the pads and hitting the practice field with more than a dozen veterans for the first time Friday afternoon?

It beat the alternative. His contract had expired at the end of the 2010 season.

"Yeah, I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," the Indianapolis Colts veteran running back said, smiling broadly. "Remember, three weeks ago I was unemployed. I'm kind of blessed to be back here and employed."

Addai had plenty of company.

While the Colts have been on the Anderson University practice fields since Monday, several players have been forced to wait and watch. Veterans who signed new or restricted contracts were prohibited from practicing until the new collective bargaining agreement was ratified. That occurred Thursday afternoon.

Now, the gang's all here, except for injured quarterback Peyton Manning (neck) and wide receiver Blair White (back). Each remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Among returnees finally getting to work out Friday were safety Melvin Bullitt, offensive tackle Ryan Diem, guard Kyle DeVan, kicker Adam Vinatieri and defensive linemen Eric Foster and Antonio Johnson. The three recently signed veterans -- defensive tackle Tommie Harris, linebacker Ernie Sims and defensive end Jamaal Anderson -- also had their first camp exposure Friday.

Bullitt said the spectator's role he had been forced to endure was testing his patience.

"When they told us we couldn't practice until Friday, at first I got a little smile," he said. "Then after the first 20 minutes, you're like, 'Man, this is boring just being out here watching.' ""