FOXBORO, Mass. — The injuries were racking up and so were the self doubts for Dane Fletcher.
The linebacker injured his ACL for a third time late in the 2014 season, putting his future in the NFL in doubt.
Fletcher said he contemplated retiring instead of risking another injury, but one of his biggest fans wasn’t about to let him do that.
“My mom, (she) doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Fletcher said Wednesday of his mother’s reaction to him considering retirement. “Yeah, my mom. She’s crazy like that. … I said, ‘No, I’m not then.’ All right, I’ll take it from there.”
It turns out mom was right because Fletcher has since re-signed with the New England Patriots after spending the 2014 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And now Fletcher is back on the field practicing with his teammates after spending the first part of the season on PUP.
“The cool thing about this team and this organization is that I came back here when they were in the playoffs,” Fletcher said. “I was out of the playoffs obviously and I talked to a lot of the guys like (Rob) Ninkovich, Jerod Mayo, and Tom (Brady) and these guys that have been around … and they just remind you that ‘Why not come back?’ I’ve still got a lot left in me.
“Thank God they did that and talked me into it because now I’m here with my brothers again. And it’s been a terrible year away. I’m not going to lie. I’m just excited to be back and be a part of things again.”
Fletcher wasn’t the only player who returned to the Patriots on Tuesday after starting the season on PUP, though. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, who was dealing with a calf injury, also rejoined his teammates on the practice field.
“I’m ready to go,” Jones said. “I’m pushing myself, just trying to get better now as far as skill-wise, trying to get back into it. And helping these guys prepare for Washington as well.”
That calf injury was also something he played through in Super Bowl XLIX, a source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe.
The Patriots have a 21-day window to activate Fletcher and/or Jones from PUP, or they will be placed on season-ending PUP/reserve. So there are some big roster decisions coming in New England.
In the meantime, Fletcher plans on doing his part to earn a spot on the team.
“You just kind of learn mentally how to get through it,” Fletcher said. “And just be ready when your name’s called the next time you’re up. And so I practiced yesterday and I’m feeling good. And just kind of see day-by-day how it goes.
“There’s no promises in this world. I’m just trying to earn a spot on the team just like everybody else is. And obviously I understand I don’t want anything handed to me and got to go out there and earn it.”
The self doubts are gone for Fletcher. In their place is a will to return to the playing field. But remember, that wouldn’t be possible without some sound advice from Mom.
Thumbnail photo via Mike Carter/USA TODAY Sports Images
