FOXBORO, Mass. — Danny Amendola says he’ll be good to go Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals after spending the entire summer on the physically unable to perform list.
“I feel good,” the New England Patriots wide receiver said before Tuesday’s practice. “I’ve been preparing a lot. I feel strong, feel fast, so I’m ready to roll.”
The Patriots moved Amendola to the active roster Saturday, and he returned to practice one day later. He was back on the practice field Tuesday as New England continued its Week 1 preparations.
“It feels good, man,” Amendola said. “It feels good. Just to get out there with my teammates and be a part of the group is a lot of fun.”
After playing in 14 games last season, Amendola underwent offseason surgeries on his ankle and knee. He frequently attended training camp practices but typically sported a baseball cap and T-shirt rather than a helmet and practice jersey.
“I just go where they tell me,” he said. “They have a plan. They’ve always had a plan, and so have we. I’m excited to be ready to go and looking forward to this weekend.”
The Patriots opted to keep just four wide receivers when they trimmed their roster to 53 players Saturday, an indication that Amendola and rookie Malcolm Mitchell, who suffered an elbow injury in New England’s preseason opener, likely were close to returning.
“I’ve been ready,” Amendola said, “so I was just doing my job, trying to get ready for my teammates, for this offense, for whatever my role will be on special teams. Just like every other year, just get ready to be there for Week 1. It’s no different.”
The Patriots’ offense will feature a new field general to begin the season, as quarterback Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games. Third-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to start in Brady’s place.
Although Amendola’s recovery prevented him from working with Garoppolo during training camp and the preseason, the receiver doesn’t believe it will take them long to get on the same page.
“We’ve been working a lot,” Amendola said. “Even in the past years, we’ve got a lot of reps together. And the same with all the guys on this team, so it’s no different. Just get out there and practice as much as we can.”
Amendola ranked second on the Patriots in receptions (65) and third in receiving yards (648) last season.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
