Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has spent the better part of two years trying to convince people he’s fully healthy.
Smith-Schuster underwent knee surgery shortly after winning Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs, and ever since has had questions arise about its overall health. Is he at 100% Will he ever be at 100% How did New England miss it?
We haven’t ever really gotten a straight answer.
Last summer, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer called the knee “a mess” and said it “could explode at any point.” Smith-Schuster denied the report, telling Karen Guregian of MassLive that didn’t feel the knee was a “ticking time bomb” and it was “getting stronger every day,” before posting the second-lowest receiving totals (29 receptions, 260 yards, one touchdown) of his career during his first season with the Patriots.
Smith-Schuster’s knee was clearly an issue last season, and he even admitted that in May.
“I was probably at like 60%, and right now I’m like 100%,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s a big difference. It’s not easy coming off a knee injury and having a long season and coming back really short… I feel great, honestly. I feel great. I’ve never felt better. I’m just excited to finally be out here around this time and participating.”
Soooooooo … is he healthy or not?
It’s impossible to tell, as the day, source, direction of the wind seemingly all affect the answer to that question. Smith-Schuster was faced with it again Tuesday, though, and gave us another seemingly positive update.
“I’m feeling good,” Smith-Schuster said. “I feel great, being able to come out here and perform at the highest level.”
Smith-Schuster hasn’t exactly competed at the highest level, but he has been out there every day, and though things looked murky when he left competitive team drills Tuesday, he says all is well physically. Can we believe that?
Only when we actually see it.
