Wednesday, January 1, 2014

McCourty happy to be back on practice field

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Devin McCourty was disappointed the concussion he sustain Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens held him out of the New England Patriots' season finale.

But three days after his team secured a first-round bye in the playoffs via a victory over the Buffalo Bills, the co-captain is back practicing, something he hasn't done since preparing for that Week 16 bout.

"I’m just taking it one day at a time," McCourty said Wednesday, via Patriots.com. "It’s always good to be back on the field if you miss any time.

"I’m just happy to be back on the field."

The veteran defensive back has been the Patriots' best pass defender, though the team must be encouraged with youngster Duron Harmon's work last week in McCourty's absence.

Prior to his injury, McCourty played every single defensive snap in all but two of the Patriots' first 14 games. He recorded career-lows in interceptions and passes defensed in 2013, but it had more to do with teams not throwing his way than his ball skills.

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