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Patriots Gridiron News: Martellus Bennett Admits He’s Not 100 Percent

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) wears custom cleats in honor of the "My cause, My cleats" campaign during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) wears custom cleats in honor of the "My cause, My cleats" campaign during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett is coming off his worst game as a Patriot and admit he’s not 100 percent.

With tight end Rob Gronkowski on the shelf, the New England Patriots need Martellus Bennett.  Unfortunately, the versatile tight end is nursing his own injuries which has slowed him down.

Coming off what he describes as his “worst game as a Patriots,” Bennett has conceded that those kinds of games happen here and there.  But, it is how a player bounces back that ultimately tells what kind of player he is.  Speaking to the media Thursday, Bennett said he will grind to get ready, but also admitted that he isn’t 100 percent healthy, but will battle though.

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"“The thing about this sport is it’s always something,” Bennett said via NESN. “You never go through a season without having some kind of nick or tear, but there’s a lot of guys playing with different things. But some guys are able to play through different injuries, and some of the same injuries, you see guys around the league — go on IR and things like that, but it just depends on the person and their pain tolerance.”"

Bennett has missed several practices due to an ankle and shoulder injury, but hasn’t missed a regular season game.  In that respect, he is showing how much of an iron man he is and should be admired for his ability to battle through both injuries and help his team in more ways than one.

"“I just keep going,” Bennett said. “I’m like the Energizer Bunny. I just try to find a way. Sometimes it’s (expletive) when you’re out there playing with different injuries. You can’t do a lot of things that you want to do. You have (expletive) plays. You might have a string of bad plays in a row just because you’re dealing with different things.”"

In last week’s game, Bennett caught just two passes or four yards and picked up two huge holding penalties.  With the team now leaning on him with Gronkowski out, he will have to do much better…as much as is physically possible with the injuries.

Griff Whalen:  According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the New England Patriots have signed wide receiver Griff Whalen to a one-year deal through the remainder of the 2016 season.

Patriots
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (17) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Whalen was one of three free-agent wide receivers the Patriots worked out on Thursday.  His ability to return punts was probably a factor in his signing as he would help fill the void left by Danny Amendola.

An undrafted free agent out of Stanford, Whalen has played with the Indianapolis Colts.  In four seasons, he totaled 47 receptions for 509 yards and three touchdowns.  He gives the Patriots their fourth pure receiver behind Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell.

To make room for Whalen, the Patriots waived defensive tackle Darius Kilgo.  With Alan Branch winning his appeal, New England no longer need the depth Kilgo provided at the defensive tackle position.

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