papz

Straining a quadriceps muscle an hour into the first practice of training camp was not how Saints receiver Kenny Stills envisioned his second NFL season beginning.

After all, his rookie campaign had been so charmed: He finished third on the Saints with 641 receiving yards, 32 catches and five lengthy touchdown grabs, all from between 34 and 76 yards. He dropped only one pass thrown his way as the Saints won 12 of 18 games to make it to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, and the 20.03 yards he gained per catch were the best among NFL players who qualified for the leaderboard in that category.

Yet things have not gone smoothly for Stills as a sophomore pro, at least not initially. He first tweaked a quad in an offseason workout with quarterback Drew Brees in San Diego around late June, then messed it up even more while trying “to take off and run a little bit too fast” during an early one-on-one passing drill at the first practice of training camp July 25, he said.

The 6-foot, 194-pound Stills was either sidelined or limited for the next 15 days of practice; was absent for the Saints’ preseason victories at St. Louis and vs. Tennessee; and didn’t return to full team drills until a Monday session in Metairie.

“I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot — a lot of team-building at camp, getting in shape and getting the reps with Drew and with the offense,” Stills said after practice Monday, when he fielded punts, caught at least one long ball in drills and spoke to the media for the first time since he was hurt. “You go through the offseason, and you’re so excited to get back and play (that) to get hurt on the first day was rough for me.”


Read more: Getting healthier, Saints receiver Kenny Stills is glad to be back in the mix | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Attached Thumbnails

 

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.