Patriots Gridiron News: Josh Gordon adapting to the Patriot Way quite well

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon is finally fully healthy and appears to have adapted to the Patriot Way just fine.

Following a breakout game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon has emerged as a reliable weapon for Tom Brady over the past few weeks.

With five receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, Gordon is morphing into the player much of the NFL marveled over back in 2013.

This is dangerous for opposing teams, but a great story for a player who has been held back by his off-the-field issues and slowed this season by a nagging hamstring issue that is finally fully healed.

Removed from the injury list for the first time since coming over in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, Gordon just chalks it up as another positive since joining the New England Patriots.

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"“You know what?  I wasn’t even sure I was on it, but I guess it’s a positive,” Gordon told reporters Thursday, via NESN.  “It’s good.”"

It’s actually very good.  Gordon hasn’t appeared to have that breakaway speed he is capable of.  Now that the hamstring is healed, perhaps mentally he will able to go at full speed and have more plays like the 55-yard touchdown he scored against the Packers.

Adapting to the Patriot Way

Those kinds of plays and the trust Tom Brady has developed in him are reasons Josh Gordon is working out with the Patriots.  Along with being a more mature individual at 27 years of age, the change of scenery to New England is what former head coach Hue Jackson theorizes as a reason the troubled, but very talented wide receiver has emerged into a No. 2 option.

"“We know what type of talent Josh Gordon is.  Sometimes I think players need different scenery in order to be all they can be,” Jackson said during an appearing on FS1’s “Undisputed” Wednesday.  “Everything that this young man had dealt with had been in Cleveland.  That is all he knew.  I think he’s in a better place for him professionally, emotionally, mentally.  I think you are starting to see the real Josh Gordon.  I wish him well.”"

Along with his performance, Gordon has put the team first, doing whatever the team needs him to do to win games.  During his NFL career, he has never experienced the type of winning he is now experiencing with New England.  He also doesn’t have pressure to be the man. Perhaps being just part of the puzzle is just what Josh Gordon needed to get his career back on track.

Rex Burkhead back

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead still has a chance to make an impact on the team this season.

On Thursday, Burkhead was back at practice with the team after a being placed on injured reserve with a neck injury back in Week 3.  This means the versatile running back will be the second of two injured reserve spots used by the team.  The other being rookie cornerback Duke Dawson.

This is good news for the Patriots, especially now that Sony Michel is expected back on the field this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.  While the earliest Rex Burkhead can return is Dec. 2, having him back in the mix deepens the running back depth chart that was thinned immensely with the injuries to Burkhead, Jeremy Hill and Michel.

Thursday’s injury report

Nothing much has changed as far as the New England Patriots injury report is concerned.

Trent Brown was the only player absent due to illness, while nine players were limited in the Thursday session.

Those players include Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back), Julian Edelman (ankle), Dont’a Hightower (knee), Jacob Hollister (hamstring), Sony Michel (knee), John Simon (shoulder), Cordarrelle Patterson (neck), Shaq Mason (calf) and Joe Cardona (shoulder).

Interestingly, Rex Burkhead does appear on the list indicating that he is fully healthy.