Patriots WR Danny Amendola won’t change playing style to avoid injuries

Danny Amendola has already missed time due to two injuries this season, but he said he isn’t going to alter his style going forward.

by Mark Sandritter

Oct 26, 2013, 12:30 PM UTC

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Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Danny Amendola's name has been listed on the injury report more often than not in recent seasons, but despite playing in just 15 of a possible 39 games since 2011, Amendola doesn't plan on changing the way he plays.

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The Patriots wide receiver expects to play on Sunday after sitting out last week due to a concussion. He missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury. Add in a serious elbow injury and a dislocated collarbone, and Amendola has suffered more than his share of injuries -- and that’s just since 2011. Other players may try to alter their playing style to stay on the field more, but not Amendola.

“I’m not going to change,” said Amendola, via Jarrett Bell of USA Today. “That’s just the way I am. It’s a rough game. Everybody knows that. I love the physical part of the game. So I’m not going to change. I’m ready to go this week. So really, that’s the only thing that I can focus on.”

Amendola has proven to be an effective threat when healthy, he’s just struggled to stay on the field. He’s played in 16 games just once during his five-year NFL career. Amendola suffered another concussion in 2009, but other than that, the majority of his injuries have been more of fluke nature. He injured his collarbone last sesaon when he landed on the football awkwardly while diving for a pass. He missed 15 games in 2011 after he dislocated his elbow and partially tore a triceps muscle when he fell to the turf untouched.

The plethora of injuries have caused some to call Amendola injury-prone, but he said he doesn’t pay much attention to the claims.

“I don’t really listen to it,” Amendola said. “I know how I play and what I can bring to the team. So I’m not really interested in hearing anything else.”

If Amendola does indeed return this week, it will be his fourth game of the season. He’s been an effective target when healthy, catching 16 passes for 159 yards this season.