The New England Patriots are officially in game mode as they prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs following Wild Card Weekend. Now, all of the attention shifts to the injuries that have been plaguing the team over the past few weeks as several big stars are dealing with issues. With just a week left to get healthy, both Tom Brady and Julian Edelman are putting in the work to get healthy and up to speed.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Brady is feeling healthy after an ankle sprain suffered in the Week 17 loss to Miami. He spent most of last week limping on the field, but he is expected to be fine and not limited because of the issue. NESN.com is reporting that Julian Edelman has been cleared to play as well against the Chiefs after a broken foot kept him off the field since week 10. The receiver was hoping to see some game time before the season ended, but will now have to hope rust is not a factor when getting on the field in the playoffs.
Reiss is reporting that Brady and Edelman has been putting in extra work with one another to get back their chemistry. With Edelman out, the quarterback has been trying to build up players like Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola, but with the receiver healthy again the two's connection will be critical. The two players have been spending extra time on the field and working out together as Edelman looks to be as healthy as possible.
"I'll be on the same page with [Edelman and Amendola] as soon as they get back," Brady said on WEEI. "I've thrown enough balls to both of those guys that whenever they get back on the field, we'll have the same chemistry with those two players. Now, how our offense does, we have to throw, we have to catch, we have to block, we have to run. ... We have to be able to integrate everybody's skill set at this time of year."
The last thing for the Patriots is their run game. The team is hopeful that Steven Jackson has gotten in enough practice time to be a real threat against the tough Chiefs defense. He will get the bulk of the carries over Brandon Bolden and James White. According to Jackson via ESPN.com, he is considering retiring at the end of the season. He had sat out the entire year until signed by New England and once the playoffs are over he believes it might be time to call it quits.
"It helps me close a chapter on my terms," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "That's what I always stressed -- if I went back to the NFL it had to be for a team that had a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl."
