A starter from past returns to help out
After 8 weeks on IR, TE Fiedorowicz can’t wait to get on field
C.J. Fiedorowicz, the Texans’ starting tight end a year ago, quickly grew tired of recuperating from his second concussion of the season and working out on his own.
He sorely wanted to be out there with his teammates.
And now Fiedorowicz can, having been activated from the “injured reserve designated to return” list on Friday.
It was an uncertain time for Fiedorowicz, one he’s thrilled to put behind him. He’s scheduled to make his return Sunday in a critical road game against the Los Angeles Rams.
“I feel great, my body feels good,” Fiedorowicz said. “I stayed in shape. I’m ready to go for Sunday. No one wants to be on IR. It was a brutal eight weeks.
“You feel like you’re kind of not part of the team. You’re doing stuff on your own, working on your own. It’s not something I planned for, but I feel good. I’m out here ready to help the team.”
Signed to a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension that included $10 million in guaranteed money prior to the regular season, Fiedorowicz had time to contemplate his health. That included meeting with a specialist in Pittsburgh and discussing the situation with his family.
“Yeah, I had time to think
about it,” Fiedorowicz said. “I had eight weeks to talk to my parents, talk to some people outside. Everyone goes through that. Everyone takes big hits. It’s football. I met with specialists. They said I was OK. I’m not really too worried about it. I’m confident.”
Fiedorowicz caught a career-high 54 passes for 559 yards and four touchdowns last season.
“He’s had a good week of practice,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He does a great job for us on the edge, and he’s improved every year in the passing game. Obviously, last year, he had a real good year in the passing game, and it’s good to have him back healthy. C.J. will play a lot, no doubt about it.”
Fiedorowicz emphasized he won’t be hesitant because of his history of concussions this season.
“If I was taking precautions and thinking about getting hit again, that’s when it would be worse,” Fiedorowicz said. “I take a worse hit if I’m playing slow or thinking too much. I’ve just got to play, do what I do normally, maybe play a little smarter. Maybe if I’m going into three guys ready to hit me, maybe go down before they hit me.”
Fiedorowicz said his symptoms subsided about six to seven weeks ago.
His return coincides with tight end Ryan Griffin being out this week after suffering his second concussion of the season.
“A lot of guys’ bodies are beat up after eight weeks,” Fiedorowicz said. “I feel good. I’m out here ready to help the team. I’m antsy no matter what. It’s my job to be out there and help the team. I’m sitting on the sideline, wishing I could be in there. The rules are the rules, but I’m looking forward to this week.”