Brady turns up with calf injury
Source: Should be OK to go vs. Jets
FOXBORO — Tom Brady was a surprise addition to the Patriots practice/injury report with a calf injury after the quarterback was limited in his participation yesterday.
Brady was sacked twice and hit on a few other occasions in Sunday’s 43-0 rout of Miami. He didn’t seem to get hurt during the game. Bill Belichick conducted a full padded practice. During the media viewing portion, Brady didn’t seem too bothered, jogging at one point during the exercise phase. It’s unknown when the injury occurred, but according to a source, it’s not going to keep Brady down. He should be fine for Sunday afternoon’s tilt with the winless Jets.
Brady has gotten off to a stellar start to the 2019 season. During the first two games, he’s completed 44of-64 pass attempts for 605 yards. He’s thrown five touchdown passes, no interceptions and has a 124.8 quarterback rating.
Also on the practice front, right tackle Marcus Cannon continues to be a limited participant with a shoulder injury. Given left tackle Isaiah Wynn (turf toe) was put on IR, his status bears watching.
Mr. Versatility
Rex Burkhead has gotten off to a strong start. He’s averaging 5.0 yards a carry and is tied with Phillip Dorsett as the third leading receiver (seven catches, 88 yards). He plays on special teams, so he’s a perfect player for Belichick, who put him in the same category with Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Kyle Van Noy. Guys who can “do stuff on every down.”
The knock on Burkhead has been his inability to stay healthy, but he’s stayed out of the training room thus far.
“He’s one of the most versatile players on our team . . . . there’s a handful of guys like that that can just play on every down but those guys are rare,” Belichick said, “and then to play at a high level like Kyle, Devin, Pat, Rex do, as a coach, that’s a tremendous luxury to have on your team, to have players that are that versatile in terms of the variety of things they can do, and then that versatile in terms of being able to do it at a high level in all of those situations. You’re lucky to have one of those guys on your team, maybe two of those guys on your team. We have more than that so that’s something that’s really a great help as a coach in terms of game planning and also managing the entire roster because they just give you so much depth.”
Burkhead said more work goes into having versatility, but he enjoys it.
“I take pride in it and whatever helps the teamout, I am happy to do that,” he said.
Collins ‘nightmare’
Jets coach Adam Gase isa huge fan of Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins. During a conference call with the New England media, he spoke about how tough it has been playing against Collins.
“I was fortunate enough to be a victim of his many times when we were in Denver. He was a nightmare when we went against him the first time (he was with the Patriots),” Gase said. “He was a guy we were always concerned about when we went into the game. I think watching him play now, that’s the right place for him. He plays really well in coach Belichick’s system. His versatility, his flexibility, his knowledge of what they do is impressive. It’s obvious, the guy’s a playmaker. He was the first time around when we played him in Denver, and then now seeing him again. It’s interesting to see him play in a different spot, and still see him being as productive as he is.”
Gase also had high praise for Stephon Gilmore, calling him the best corner in the league. Going against him as a playcaller, Gase said “he’s playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers.”
Berrios finds spot
Meanwhile, Gase was happy to be able to snag former Patriot Braxton Berrios, who didn’t make the 53-man roster in Foxboro. The wide receiver hasn’t gotten into the offense much, but has been returning punts.
“He’s been great. He works extremely hard. We really haven’t had a chance to get him much game action outside of punt returns,” said Gase. “I know every week, he’s itching to get opportunities whether special teams or on offense.”
Gase said he had his eyes on the former University of Miami star when he was coaching the Dolphins, but given their depth at receiver, it wasn’t a match. Because of injuries, the Jets couldn’t resist when he became available.
“He wasn’t really in our wheelhouse (in Miami). I know when he went to New England we were all sitting and we were like, ‘Great, they got the next one (slot receiver) ready to go.’ So just getting the chance to be around him, love his work ethic, love how competitive he is, his attitude. Everything about him is ideal.”