FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots rookie cornerback Devin McCourty said his rib injury is “feeling better,” and he proved that by practicing Thursday and then getting cleared to practice again Friday.
McCourty, who shook it off as “just a little nag,” wouldn’t tip his hand on his status for Sunday, but with the confidence he displayed Friday, it sounded like the playmaker has a really good chance to suit up against the Packers. McCourty suffered the injury Sunday in Chicago while forcing a fumble, which added to his streak of four consecutive games with a forced turnover.
“I always want to play each Sunday,” McCourty said Friday. “We don’t get many opportunities to go out there and play, so anytime we do, I want to be out there.”
McCourty returned for a few plays after the injury but sat out the entire second half, a decision he said was made by the coaching staff. When asked if he felt strong enough to play Sunday, he gave the “You’ve-got-to-ask-Coach” response.
“I’m just happy that I can practice, just go out there and playing, so I think that’s always a good sign,” said McCourty, who noted that he hasn’t suffered very many injuries over the course of his career. “I try not to rush into things, let the doctor look at it, let the trainers look at it and then just go from what they say.”
The Patriots will likely take an overly cautious approach with McCourty, but the cornerback sounds fine with whatever route they take with him. He won’t lobby head coach Bill Belichick for extra playing time if that’s not in the cards, once again showing his smart side.
“No, I’m not trying to get on [Belichick’s] bad side,” McCourty said. “Whatever the docs and the trainers decide and what coach says, that’s what I’ll go with.”
