Patriots rookie Javon Baker reveals harrowing details of off-field concussion
FOXBORO — The concussion rookie Javon Baker suffered that caused him to miss Sunday’s game against the Cardinals was suffered in a “bad car accident,” the Patriots wide receiver revealed to the Herald on Wednesday.
“I was blessed that I walked out with a concussion,” Baker told the Herald of the T-bone crash.
The rookie fourth-round pick was back on the practice field Wednesday. He practiced last Monday but wasn’t on the field for the rest of the week’s practices because of the concussion, sparking questions of how it occurred. Head coach Jerod Mayo wouldn’t provide any details last Friday.
Baker, who played collegiately at Alabama and UCF, has yet to record his first NFL catch despite playing in eight games.
“It’s been a rollercoaster season, but just happy enough to even be in the NFL, honestly, be an NFL player,” Baker said. “It’s a childhood dream. It’s been a rollercoaster. It’s not the way that I wanted it to be, but it’s not my way. I just gotta stick to the plan and continue to progress.”
Baker said it hasn’t been a humbling experience, because he went through a similar one at Alabama, where he caught nine passes for 116 yards with a touchdown in two seasons before transferring to UCF.
“I’ve been through it before, so I’m not really in my head or nothing. It’s happened to me mentally.