FOXBORO, Mass. — There’s been a notable absence out on the practice field during the Patriots’ OTAs — Devin McCourty.
The leader of the secondary underwent shoulder surgery over the offseason and has been watching his teammates — old and new — from the sidelines. McCourty stayed away from any words like “frustrating” when describing what it’s like to stand off to the side while the rest of his team works.
“There’s nothing you can do about it,” McCourty said. “Just coming in doing what I gotta do with the training staff, our weight room coaches. Just doing what they tell me to do. Go from there. There’s nothing I can do about not being there for the practice.”
McCourty has emerged as a leader among the defensive backs over the years and with plenty of his former teammates from Rutgers coming in this season as rookies, the fourth-year player can do plenty of good from the sidelines.
“I know those guys work hard,” McCourty said. “They’re good football players so when I saw they was drafted, just trying to help them out and teach them different things. Get them knowing the system so I know they can play football so it’s just learning.”
McCourty is supposed to be recovered by training camp. He made the transition flawlessly from cornerback to safety midway through last season.
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