Agent: Carter Hopes To Return To Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) - Defensive end Andre Carter is ahead of schedule as he rehabs from left quad surgery, and is hopeful that he will continue his 11-year NFL career.
According to his agent, Carter would like to do so as a New England Patriot.
"We would like to think they'd be interested in keeping him on a long-term basis, but it takes two to dance," Carter's agent Carl Poston said Friday at the NFL combine, according to ESPNBoston's Mike Reiss. "This is what Andre wanted when [we] sat down and talked (last season) -- he wanted to go to a team that was a contender [and] where he would play in a system where he had a chance to go to the Pro Bowl, so everything was perfect until the injury."
Poston said the contact has been made with the Patriots, but it is still very early in the off-season.
"I would have been surprised if they said they weren't interested. They said they were interested, but it's a little early," Poston said.
Read: Pats 'Going Through The Process' With Free Agents
Carter enjoyed success in his first season with the Patriots, tallying 10 sacks and 52 tackles in 14 games and was named to his first Pro Bowl. But his season ended in New England's Week 14 win over the Broncos when he was carted off the field with a quad injury.
However, his rehab is ahead of schedule according to Poston.
"He's in good shape, ahead on his rehab," his agent said. "It's not the kind of injury like a lower back or knee, where he's not going to be able to come back 100 percent. In fact, he might be even be stronger."
It seemed as though Carter fit in immediately with the Patriots, and if the price is right, it would be hard to imagine them not bringing back the veteran. He provided a legitimate threat in the pass-rush and was a strong voice on and off the field.
The only road block could be Poston's mention of a "long-term" deal. That doesn't usually go well with the Patriots when it comes to a 30+-year-old player (Carter will be 33 in May) coming off an injury.
But for a guy like Carter, they might make an exception.
