Working Through Tough Times 

I have a high ankle sprain, which means I am going to miss this week's game against Denver. I'm disappointed in that, but I am focused on the task of getting healthy and getting back on the field. Injuries are part of the game. They happen. I've had many, many injuries since I've been playing football and you expect them to happen. Football is a violent game. It's brutal. It beats up your body.

I was injured in our first red-zone series. One of my teammates fell on the back of my leg and I knew I was hurt right away. Since then, I've been getting treatment -- a lot of ice, some stim, anything to get the swelling down and get the blood flowing in the ankle area to promote healing.

Losing in San Diego was extremely disappointing, especially the way we the game went. We took it on the chin and that hasn't happened too often in my seven years here. But we're going to bounce back. We have always preached taking things one day at a time and not looking back. When you play a good game, you get over it very quickly. Same thing here.

We know we're 3-2 and that we're still in the thick of things. We have to get back on track. We're all working hard and we understand that we're struggling a little bit right now.

It is a long season. The NFL is a marathon, not a sprint. I've had some injuries to deal with this season, but I'll fight through them. My first three games this year, I was just getting up to speed after missing most of the preseason. Against San Francisco, I made a lot of plays and earned a game ball from Coach Belichick. I felt I was on the right path back to where I wanted to be.

Now I've taken a step back, and I just have to work that much harder to get back. That is my focus now.