New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday it’s up to LeGarrette Blount to determine how much playing time the running back gets.

Blount re-signed with the Patriots on Thursday, two days after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Blount apparently was upset for not getting a carry in the Steelers’ victory over the Tennessee Titans on Monday night and he left the field in Nashville, Tenn., before the game ended and without telling coaches. He also walked out during the postgame locker-room discussion and was promptly released the next day.

After he went unclaimed on waivers, Blount returned to New England on Thursday and received a two-year deal reportedly worth up to $2.35 million, though it is for the prorated minimum for the rest of 2014.

“That will be up to him, just like everybody else,” Belichick said Friday. “When he gets an opportunity, (it’s) how much he can take advantage of it, how much he can be productive and what he can do with those opportunities (that) will determine how many more there are. It’s totally up to him.

“We’ve talked about that. He knows that’s the way it is, and he’s excited about it.”

Belichick described Friday how the team had attempted to re-sign Blount in the offseason before he landed in Pittsburgh on a two-year, $3.85 million contract.

“It didn’t work out. It’s the business part of the NFL,” Belichick said. “He was released, he was available, and we were able to work out to have him back here. We’re glad to have him back.”

Blount played one season with the Patriots in 2013 after they traded a seventh-round draft pick and Jeff Demps to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 6-foot, 250-pound running back. Blount carried the ball 153 times for 772 yards with seven touchdowns last season. He also added a 24-carry, 166-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional playoff matchup.

“We know the player, we have a history with him, so I think that was the biggest part of it,” Belichick said.

Blount’s role has yet to be determined, especially after rookie Jonas Gray had a 37-carry, 201-yard, four-touchdown effort against the Indianapolis Colts last week. Gray had one touchdown in each quarter of the Patriots’ 42-20 victory Sunday night. He had 100 yards in the first half and 101 yards in the second half to become the first Patriots player to have 100 yards rushing in each half.

Blount, who rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries with the Steelers this season, practiced with the Patriots for the first time Thursday.

The Patriots host the Detroit Lions on Sunday.