Bryan Stork Returns To Practice Field For Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- Rookie center Bryan Stork suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Patriots' divisional round playoff game, and the outlook did not appear to be very good. Stork's knee bore the weight of a diving Terrell Suggs, forcing Stork to miss the rest of the game as well as the AFC Championship Game the following week.
Yet on Thursday, Stork surprisingly suited up for a full-pads practice, indicating his right knee is on the mend.
The Patriots did not practice on Wednesday, but they sent out a report that if they had, Stork would not have participated.
Stork, a fourth-round pick out of Florida State, played in 13 games this season, starting 11 of them. His insertion into the offensive line helped solidify the interior line, which allowed seven sacks of Tom Brady in the first three games of the season, putting Brady on pace to be sacked 37 times on the year. Though the guard-center-guard trio of Dan Connolly, Stork and Ryan Wendell was broken up due to injuries at times, Brady finished the season with 21 sacks.
No reports have surfaced on the details or extent of Stork's injury, but his presence at practice on Thursday is a very positive sign for his potential availability next Sunday for the Super Bowl.
The Seattle Seahawks -- New England's Super Bowl opponent -- finished 20th in the NFL this season with 37 sacks, while their rushing defense ranked third, allowing just 81.5 yards per game.
