FOXBORO, Mass. — Devin McCourty is excited to get back out on the football field, even if he’s not quite back to full health just yet.
McCourty underwent surgery on his right shoulder earlier this offseason and was forced to watch from the sidelines during OTAs and minicamp. Now, he’s finally been cleared to get back on the field and is excited to do so.
“I’m super excited,” McCourty said Thursday with a huge smile on his face. “Having to watch all the spring practices and be here and not participate and to have to sit in meetings and just watch is very disappointing and frustrating at times. But now I’m able to be back out on the field and play. It will be great to be back out there with all the guys.”
McCourty will be an active participant on the field when training camp practices open up early Friday morning at Gillette Stadium. It’s unclear to what extent he’ll be able to participate, at least to start, but McCourty is encouraged by the health of his shoulder.
“It feels good,” McCourty said of his shoulder. “It’s still day-by-day. Any time you come off any type of surgery, it’s tough to jump right back in and be 100 percent. I’m just doing what I have to do, in terms of rehab and things, and different things like that what the training staff says. I’m just happy right now to be back on the field and that it’s functional enough for me to be out there.
The Patriots are counting on McCourty to be the leader of the secondary this season, whether it be from safety or cornerback, and having him back on the field and healthy should be a huge boost toward that goal.
