Mankins suffered the injury during the regular season but managed to push through until the end.
Logan MankinsFOXBOROUGH – Fans of the New England Patriots have long known that Logan Mankins is a warrior.
The offensive guard didn’t miss his first practice due to injury until last season, and has been a rock for the Patriots’ offensive line for the last seven years. No one ever had a need to question his credentials, because, as he put it, he’s “here to play, not watch and collect a check.”
But now we know how tough he really is.
Speaking to reporters after being removed from the physically unable to perform list and participating in his first practice of training camp, just six months removed from having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Mankins revealed that he played a good majority of last season with the tear.
“I could still run so there was no reason to sit out,” Mankins said. “There were no MRIs or anything, so we never knew what exactly was hurt. If you could still run there’s no reason to see a doctor, right?”
Mankins said that he was able to effectively ward off the pain through most of the season, but it finally got the better of him during the Super Bowl.
By that point everyone was forced to admit there was a problem, and he was taken for an MRI after the game. He had surgery a few later and headed down the long road back to the field.
“Put a brace on, tape an aspirin to it and go,” Mankins said when asked how he dealt with that level of pain.
The guard still isn’t sure if he will be ready to play by the start of the season, but is hoping to get a better barometer for where he’s at in a few days.
Under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, Mankins will be limited in practice and cannot wear full pads until Tuesday. During Sunday’s session he participated in positional drills but was forced to take a knee during full-team drills.
“I wish I knew. How long do we have – a few more weeks – I’d like to think I would be able to (return by then),” Mankins said. “I don’t know. We’re taking it slow right now so it’s hard to tell.”
If anyone can make it back in short a period of time, the Patriots believe it is Mankins.
“He’s worked hard. Nobody’s worked harder than Logan,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We know he’s really a tough kind of a guy. He’s put a lot into it. He’s worked as hard as anybody can.”