When the Patriots acquired wide receiver Danny Amendola, it’s fair to say they were looking for more return on their investment than they’ve gotten in his first two seasons with the team.
Amendola had 54 catches for 633 yards in 12 games last season and saw much of his year plagued by a torn groin muscle that he suffered early in the season. There was some talk of Amendola having surgery, but it seemed Amendola avoided it and just rehabbed the injury leading into this season. On Thursday, Amendola admitted that wasn’t the case.
Amendola had surgery during the offseason, something that might help explain why he’s gotten off to a start that makes last year’s production look gargantuan. Amendola caught three passes for 16 yards in Week One and hasn’t had another, making him a leading member of the list of disappointing offensive players in New England. The wideout isn’t using the surgery as an excuse, though.
“It really doesn’t matter anymore, whether I did, or didn’t. I’m not going to make excuses. I don’t want anything to seem like it’s an excuse,” Amendola said, via the Boston Herald. “I’m over it. I don’t feel the need to talk about it. It’s in the past. I feel great right now. I’m trying to get open on every play. It’s not slowing me down. I feel great today. That’s what I’m grateful for and thankful for. I’m just trying to prepare for this week.”
Excuse or not, coming back from surgery may have something to do with why Amendola has found it difficult to get open this season. If things don’t pick up, he might have a hard time getting on the field enough to change things around as the season unfolds.
