FOXBORO — When Demario Douglas arrived at Liberty as a freshman receiver, he checked in at a measly 149 pounds.

The Patriots rookie identified his weight as an area of improvement. Now, years later, he can thank that focus for why he’s been a standout in his first NFL training camp.

“I always had that mentality of, I need to get better, I need to do something, so I’d say my weight was a problem,” Douglas said. “I’d say my height (5-foot-8) but I can’t change that, you know? I gained, as I was going through my years, I kept gaining and gaining, and I say my coaches at Liberty showed me how to eat right, showed me how to eat to gain weight and maintain my speed and things like that.”

Now, Douglas says he weighs 183 pounds. He credits an enhanced focus on nutrition dating back to his days at Liberty that has continued with the Patriots for not only gaining weight, but still performing well with such a weight increase.

“Ted (Harper, Patriots head dietician) and his staff do a great job,” Douglas said. “They’re having me eating right, everything that’s right. We got food in the (cafeteria), and they’ll tell you, ‘Oh put some greens on that meal.’ I’d say that staff did a great job of helping me eat right, gain weight and also maintain my speed. …

“I like a lot of food. I’m not very picky though. So I’ll eat anything. So whatever’s in there, I’m going to eat.”

Deatrich Wise revealed that he doesn’t expect to play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Texans. “Even though I want to play, I don’t think I’ll be playing,” he said. The defensive lineman, as he enters his seventh season in the league, said he’s trying to get better in all aspects of his game. “Really just improve,” Wise said. “Improve in everything I did last year. There’s a few things in my run game and pass game that I wanted to improve, and I just want to get a little bit more refined in my moves and whatnot, and try to get there faster.” … Mike Gesicki made one of the best plays of camp on Tuesday with a one-handed touchdown grab in the back of the end zone against double coverage that left teammate Hunter Henry very impressed. “He’s pretty special when the ball’s in the air,” Henry said. “I mean, that’s just kind of what we have to be. When the ball’s in the air, we have to find a way to bring it down.” … Bill Belichick said “the players who are least experienced will get the most playing time” in Thursday’s preseason game. When asked if Mac Jones will start at quarterback, he said, “I don’t know.” Patriots owner Robert Kraft made an appearance at Tuesday’s practice.