TE Evan Engram -- December 7, 2019
Q: You expressed optimism about being able to go. How much of a bummer is it that you can’t play?
A: It sucks. I was really excited about this week. I felt really good at the beginning of the week, felt really good in my rehab prior to the week. As the week went by, I just wasn’t ready. I made some progress but I’m not ready.
Q: Is there a specific point where you had a setback?
A: No setbacks. Like I said, just not ready. I couldn’t really do what I do and not ready.
A: Is it exploding, is it cutting? What part of that is hard?
A: Yeah.
Q: Both? Is it straight line running?
A: For what I’m asked to do, it requires a lot of explosiveness and obviously cutting. That was kind of the deciding factor. That’s why I wasn’t really ready in that aspect.
Q: Is surgery on the table?
A: No.
Q: Would it have been extra special to come back with Eli coming back?
A: Personally, that’s what hurts the most about not getting out there. I was excited about the opportunity to get back out there with Eli and it sucks.
Q: You think next week for sure?
A: I’m not going to say for sure. I’m just going to keep working at it and stay the course.
Q: Has this taken longer than you expected?
A: Yeah, but these injuries are real tricky. From what they told me, the joint and the ligament requires a lot in the foot, so it’s a little tricky. Like I said, keep working at it and stay the course.
Q: Last year was difficult for you, you admitted it was because of the same thing you are going through now. What does that make this at this point?
A: More adversity. I’ve seen a lot of it, seen enough of it and I’ll overcome it.
Q: How odd is it that you haven’t had your big offensive four on the field at the same time?
A: That’s something that I have never really seen. Guys get back and then another guy is out. It’s just a tough hand we’ve been dealt for a lot of the season. It’s definitely tough.
Q: Do you think for sure you will be back at some point this season?
A: I’m going to try my best. I was real optimistic about this week and it didn’t work out. Like I said, just going to keep staying the course. Keep doing everything I can with the training staff and get back out there whenever I can.
Shutting it down early? The guy has only played 8 games. Never has played a full 16 game season and his highest production was his rookie year - 722 yards/6 TDs. This year, he may not eclipse 500 yards.
There is no way that DG should pick up his 5th year option. He isn't a match-up nightmare that BBI proclaims. He is an oft-injured, one-dimensional (not very good as a receiving TE) player. If we can't trade him, then ride out the remainder of his rookie contract and let him walk. The potential compensatory pick will be more of a benefit than what he has provided during his tenure. Can't believe we picked Engram with Ramczyk on the board. 3 years later the OL is still trash along with TE.