New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham was limited in training camp last week with a reported leg injury, but he's seen a slight increase in his workload in recent days.
What's his mindset after losing valuable practice time due to this injury?
"I don't want to get too much into (specifics of the injury), but I'm very fortunate to have a great medical team here, a great training staff, everyone who's involved," Stidham said during a video press conference after Thursday's practice. "I'm just happy to be back on the field with everybody and playing with everybody again."
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Stidham lost reps to teammate Cam Newton while he was battling the injury, and over the last few weeks it appears that the former NFL MVP winner has taken the lead --and perhaps a strong lead -- in the competition for the starting quarterback job.
All that Stidham is focused on the right now is improving each day and taking advantage of however many reps he receives going forward.
"There's things that happen, and sometimes you can't control everything, but now I'm back on the field and excited to be back playing with the guys," Stidham explained. "I just want to take the most from the opportunities that I do have and try to make the most of them. And, like I said, trying to get better everyday."
Stidham was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and following Tom Brady's departure in free agency, the former Auburn star was seen as the next man up at the quarterback position. But then the Patriots signed Newton as a free agent in July. Newton has played well in camp, and if healthy, he's the favorite to be the starting QB when the Patriots host the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the regular season.