Koppen: IR was a ‘business decision'

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FOXBORO -- Dan Koppen, who broke his left ankle in the Patriots' season opener in Miami, spent time Wednesday with media. Koppen was placed on season-ending injured reserve back on September 21. Even though he had a very good chance of being healed before the end of the regular season, the need to open up a roster spot made the move necessary. "It was a decision made but it's a business and things gotta get done," he explained. "You can't hold spots all year."Koppen didn't sound too charged up about the fact he landed on IR, but he seems to have accepted the decision. "Obviously you want to come back and play and injuries are part of the game," he said. "It's a business and things gotta be done and don't work out the way you want to all the time."Koppen was wearing a bulky boot on his left foot. He said he just got off crutches. "It's tough," he admitted. "You want to be out there, you want to be playing, but like I said before, injuries happen and next man up's gotta be ready to go. But as far as watching, it's just tough. But you get used to it."Koppen turned 32 in September. The five-year extension he signed in 2006 expires after this year. Asked what he sees coming down the road, Koppen said, "I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm enjoying where I'm at right now, rooting these guys on and hoping we have a great season. We'll deal with that later."Koppen, who's been capably replaced by Dan Connolly, said he wants to remain with the Patriots."This is a minor bump in the road. We'll be back and hopefully I'll be here," he said.

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