JuJu Smith-Schuster admits knee was at “60%” last offseason

JuJu Smith-Schuster admits knee was at “60%” last offseason




Patriots

“I feel great. I’ve never felt better. I’m just excited to finally be out here around this time and participating.”

JuJu Smith-Schuster admits knee was at “60%” last offseason
JuJu Smith-Schuster is looking to bounce back this season in New England. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Speaking ahead of Monday’s OTA session at Gillette Stadium, Jerod Mayo noted that there will be a “wide-open competition” for reps at the wide receiver position in 2024.

A strong preseason for JuJu Smith-Schuster will be needed for the veteran to remain on New England’s roster — especially after the team added to its pass-catching pipeline by drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker last month. 

Speaking after Monday’s practice, Smith-Schuster admitted that he’s in a much better spot physically this year than he was last spring — with a lingering knee injury sapping him of his explosiveness in his first season with the Patriots.

“Last year (in May) I was probably at like 60%. Right now I’m like 100%. So it’s a big difference,” Smith Schuster said Monday, per MassLive’s Chris Mason. “It’s not easy coming off a knee injury and having a long season and coming back really short… I feel great, honestly. I feel great. I’ve never felt better. I’m just excited to finally be out here around this time and participating.”

Smith-Schuster, who underwent a knee procedure last offseason after helping the Chiefs win a Super Bowl, labored all season long with New England.

Unable to take part in the Patriots’ offseason programs last year, Smith-Schuster struggled to make an impact on New England’s woeful offensive unit in 2023 once the season got underway. 

After signing a three-year, $33 million contract last March as Jakobi Meyers’ presumed replacement in the slot, Smith-Schuster only reeled in 29 catches for 260 yards and just one touchdown. 

Even though Smith-Schuster was eventually cleared to play, the 27-year-old wideout admitted that he was never fully healthy during his first campaign in New England. 

“No, because I’ve always wanted to just push through and play,” Smith-Schuster said. “I had some injuries that I was dealing with and I just kept pushing through it and playing. That’s just the competitiveness in me. I don’t mind that. So this year it’s a lot different than how it was.”

A healthy Smith-Schuster will make things a lot easier on Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye and a revamped New England QB room in 2024.

He also won’t have a lot of breathing room if his struggles carry over to this year, with Polk, Baker, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte also on the roster.





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