A pay cut isn't the only issue New England Patriots receiver Danny Amendola is dealing with this offseason.
The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported Monday that Amendola is recovering from knee and ankle surgeries he underwent earlier this offseason. Per Howe, the knee rehab could impact the start of his 2016 season.
Amendola suffered ligament damage in his knee in Week 11 last season and dealt with subsequent tweaks. He missed two games in 2015 due to the knee injury.
Amendola took a pay cut earlier this month to remain with the squad. The wideout agreed to a restructured, two-year deal that will pay him $7.35 million with another $750,000 available in bonuses and incentives, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported at the time. That the Pats reworked Amendola's deal to keep him on the roster suggests that the team might not be overly worried about the injury.
The Pats hope Amendola returns from rehabbing his knee by training camp, but the issue could push his availability for Week 1 into muddy waters.
Bill Belichick has loaded up on middling receivers this offseason, including adding Chris Hogan, Nate Washington and rookie Malcolm Mitchell. If Amendola's injury situation lingers, the Pats might be forced to carry extra wideouts early in the season -- which just might be enough to possibly, maybe, potentially (probably not) save the likes of Aaron Dobson from finally getting chopped.
