FOXBORO — No participant desires his enjoying time to return on the expense of an harm, and Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan is not any completely different.
But when there’s anybody within the league who deserves a break, it’s McMillan, who’s missed two total seasons to torn ACLs and one total season to a torn Achilles.
McMillan is the highest candidate to fill in for Ja’Whaun Bentley, who suffered a season-ending biceps tear within the Patriots’ Week 2 additional time loss to the Seahawks.
“It’s been a very long time coming, however I’m prepared for the chance,” McMillan advised the Herald. “My coaches belief me, so going to go on the market and make them proud.”
Bentley’s harm will even probably trigger linebacker Jahlani Tavai to tackle a much bigger position as an every-down participant. The group presently has Christian Elliss and rookie waiver-wire pickup Curtis Jacobs on their 53-man roster at linebacker. Veteran Sione Takitaki, who signed as a free agent this spring, is presently on the PUP listing and is eligible to return after Week 4.
McMillan praised Bentley for his emotional, vocal and bodily management.
“This entire locker room, everyone in right here goes by his voice. It’s robust for us as a group, however we gotta choose up and maintain going,” McMillan mentioned. “The whole lot that he’s instilled into us as a group, we gotta choose up the items and maintain going, maintain pushing.”
The eighth-year veteran plans to channel Bentley in his beginning position.
“I can simply go on the market with the identical mentality that he has: be bodily within the run recreation, play the passing lanes proper and simply be a presence in the course of the protection,” McMillan mentioned.
McMillan recorded seven tackles and one QB hit whereas changing Bentley on Sunday.
He might barely put into phrases what it means to him each time he steps onto a soccer area. The 2017 second-round choose tore his ACL as a rookie with the Dolphins in the course of the preseason. He joined the Patriots in 2021 and tore his ACL throughout coaching camp. Then he tore his Achilles final spring throughout organized group actions.
“You don’t even perceive. There have been occasions after I didn’t know if I used to be going to have the ability to lace my cleats up once more,” McMillan mentioned. “Each time I step out on the sphere, I thank god for one more alternative to go on the market and do what I like, one thing I’m keen about. There are lots of people on this world who don’t get to do issues they’re keen about every day, and I get to do it day-after-day right here in New England. It’s a blessing, and I don’t take it without any consideration in any respect.”
He additionally made certain to credit score his former place coach, Mayo, for the encouragement he’s obtained all through his time with the Patriots.
“I’m not gonna lie man, Coach Mayo, since I acquired right here in 2021, he’s been instilling in me that I’m the man,” McMillan mentioned. “That even after I wasn’t, he’s nonetheless telling me and giving me that confidence that I can do it. He’s by no means talked down on me or something like that. He’s at all times spoke life into me. In a scenario like this, these conversations (pay) dividends.”
