New England Patriots Devin McCourty’s injury is minor
New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty is recovering from a shoulder surgery this offseason, and he reportedly played through a separated shoulder during the 2011 season. That’s quite remarkable when you look at just how well he played last season at both cornerback and safety (especially safety). McCourty’s surgery was referred to as “minor” by Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe, and thus the injury should also be minor.
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Here’s what McCourty said, “It’s going pretty good. Just rehabbing day-by-day and taking it one step at a time. It’s a process I’m learning and I’m just going through it and listening to the trainers.”
McCourty’s right shoulder will be fine by the time training camp rolls around, so now there is no chance of him missing training camp as a result of the injury. He sounds excited to have veteran strong safety Adrian Wilson next to him, and this is the first time McCourty has had a true veteran opposite of him at the safety position. It will be interesting to see the dynamic between Wilson and McCourty, and I’m also excited to see that partnership unfold. Wilson should also be able to teach Tavon Wilson some lessons and help the younger Wilson mature over the next three years.
Last season, McCourty picked off five passes and held quarterbacks to a 10.2 QB Rating in an elite season at FS. Not only that, but McCourty was also excellent in run defense with 82 tackles and should soon be regarded as one of the best safeties in the game. Seriously. He was just that good last season, and I still find it hard to believe people were tossing some blame on him for the Pats struggles in the secondary early in the year. McCourty allowed a QB Rating under 80 at corner and was solid there. But at safety, he was elite.
It’s great to hear that McCourty’s right shoulder injury is being referred to as “minor”, and the surgery was likely just a tune-up to fix the ailment that McCourty was still able to play on at an elite level.
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