The New England Patriots got some excellent news on Saturday, at least on one corner.
With much of the NFL focusing on the other corner — Christian Gonzalez — and his absences, Carlton Davis made news by returning to the practice field full-time for the first time in weeks.
Encouraging work on field
Davis looked comfortable and sharp in his work, bolstering a cornerback group that was wearing thin with Gonzalez missing the past two sessions and Thursday night's exhibition with Indianapolis.
"When you take two weeks off, it's long. Obviously, you have to get back into it, you have to catch the flow of things, and you have to get your legs back up under you, so I'm going through that process," said Davis. "It felt great to get back out there and compete."
Now in his ninth pro season, his second year with the Patriots, Davis knows what it will take to be ready for the Sept. 9 opener at Seattle.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Huge week on schedule
It's an important week for the team, perhaps the most pivotal of the preseason.
After Sunday's walkthrough, the team will hold a regular practice on Monday followed by another walkthrough Tuesday. None of those will be open to the public.
Wednesday and Thursday morning, the team will host open joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, the final days of open training camp, before Saturday night's home preseason battle.
Davis expects to take his regular turn against Philly this week.
Ready for some serious work
"I had a little hammy (hamstring injury), and just had to rehab it and get back out there. I did a lot of (virtual learning) and a lot of rehabbing," Davis said. "It's Year 9 for me. I just need to practice and get the reps.
"There's going to be a lot of good competition between us. I'm excited for that."
No worries on 'Gonzo'
Davis was asked about the potential distractions that could be caused by Christian Gonzalez's absence from practices.
Without commenting on whether his teammate missing sessions was due to injury or contract issues, Davis chose an alternate path in the attempt to downplay it.
"As long as we are playing football, the outside things will take care of themselves," he said.
