As if cornerback Devin McCourty didn't impress enough this season, fans learned Tuesday night that he also played through pain during his rookie campaign.
 Patriots rookie Devin McCourty has proven he's tougher than fans may have expected. (PHOTO:Icon/SMI) |
Jeff Howe of NESN reported Tuesday night that McCourty battled with pain from a fractured rib, yet it didn't keep him off of the field and didn't appear to affect his performance while he was on it.
According to the report McCourty suffered the injury during the Patriots blowout win over the Bears, and missed one practice the following week. The injury reportedly happened just after forcing a Johnny Knox fumble, with McCourty landing awkwardly on the frozen turf - and that was when he cracked the rib. He briefly returned to the game but sat out the entire second half against Chicago.
The pain caused him some pain for a week or two, but he played through it and finished the season.
"One good thing, I guess you could say, when you fracture something or something like that is it's been pretty good," McCourty told Howe Tuesday. "It hasn't hurt. I got it looked at before the end of the season. Probably about a week or two after it happened, I was able to go out there and play [without pain]."
McCourty had an impressive first year and finished with seven interceptions, which was more than he had during his collegiate career at Rutgers.
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