Brandon LaFell and the New England Patriots will be ready to go in Week 1, regardless of which quarterback is under center.
LaFell missed the beginning of New England’s organized team activities in June and was seen sporting a walking boot on his left foot. In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday, though, the wide receiver gave a promising update.
“Finally got some time off to let my body heal up properly,” LaFell told host Bruce Murray, via ESPN.com. “I’m out of the boot now and I’m just looking forward to starting (training) camp.”
While LaFell’s status is clear entering the 2015 season, Tom Brady’s is quite the opposite. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to rule on Brady’s appeal of his Deflategate suspension, although Goodell said Thursday that decision could come soon.
The burden would fall on Jimmy Garoppolo if Brady were to miss any time, but LaFell offered a strong vote of confidence for the second-year QB.
“Jimmy has grown a lot since he first stepped foot up there in Foxboro last year,” LaFell said. “He got a little experience during the later part of the season against Buffalo; he showed a little glimpse of what he can do. He’s been having a nice OTAs, a nice offseason with us.
“… If we have to be without Tom for the first couple games, I’m pretty sure Tom will be in Jimmy’s ear helping him prepare each and every way he can to go out here and lead this team. I think we have a great group of guys around him that will kind of take the pressure off Jimmy so he won’t have to feel like he has to go out there and win the game himself. … Everybody just has to up their level of play to help out.”
The Patriots are hoping Brady won’t have to miss any time, but it appears they’ll be well-prepared even if the ruling doesn’t go his way.
Thumbnail photo via Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports Images
