Danny Amendola Injury Status Updated on Fox
By Hal Bent
Sep 8, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) heads to the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola was a topic of conversation on the Fox pregame show as NFL Insider Jay Glazer provided breaking news on his injury status. Amendola, who had a groin injury prior to the opening game versus Buffalo, was visibly injured but returned to action to play a key role in the opening game. After missing Thursday’s game against the New York Jets, Glazer indicated that Amendola tore his abductor muscle, which connects the hips to the legs. Glazer also indicated the New England wide receiver could be plagued by a sports hernia.
Here is the tweet from Glazer following his on-air report:
"JayGlazer @JayGlazerI reported Danny Amendola torn adductors but he’s gotten conflicting reports from docs on whether he has sports hernia or not. Getting more opinions today. He has sports hernia he’ll need surgery but will only miss about a month. (2013-09-15)"
Amendola, per the report, could miss an additional three or four weeks if surgery is deemed necessary. He is expected to meet with additional doctors today to determine a more clear-cut course of action moving forward for the week one star.
With an already banged up receiving corps, neither of their top two tight ends on the field (with Rob Gronkowski injured and Aaron Hernandez in jail and released and quarterback Tom Brady clearly frustrated in the first two games due to his young receivers, this is by no means the positive news the team was hoping for with the injury to Amendola. With receiving threat running back Shane Vereen already on injured reserve (with the designation to return), the New England passing attack is short of productive bodies.
Expect that the Patriots will begin kicking the tires on veteran wide receivers. With rookies Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson not in sync with quarterback Tom Brady. One receiver who has not spent much time on the field and may get an extended look is 2013 NFL Draft fourth round pick Josh Boyce. In addition, expect wide receiver Julian Edelman to get another heavy workload next Sunday against Tampa Bay.
Other good news is that tight end Rob Gronkowski is another week closer to returning. The lack of established receivers for quarterback Tom Brady has been a theme the first two weeks of 2013. With Revis Island in view for week three, the Patriots need to be sure quarterback Tom Brady has reliable targets to throw to as soon as possible.