The next day, Stanback landed with the Patriots. He spent the first half of the season on their practice squad as a quarterback, the position he played in college, only to finally land on the active roster as a wide receiver last Sunday night.
In his first game with the Patriots, Stanback seemingly seized the third wide receiver position. He played 42 offensive plays, compared with five snaps each for Sam Aiken and Julian Edelman, who was still shaking off rust while returning from a broken forearm. Stanback caught both passes Tom Brady threw to him for 17 total yards.
Stanback felt healthy for maybe the first time since the middle of his senior season in college. His career since then had been a procession of injuries, and Stanback owes his roster spot to his ability to overcome them. Stanback’s right foot still gets sore after practice, but for once it is his only ailment.
“It feels good to be feeling good again,’’ Stanback said.
Stanback last had that feeling Oct. 14, 2006. During his senior season as the University of Washington’s quarterback, Stanback had become a contender to win Pacific-10 player of the year. The Huskies were trailing Oregon State late in the fourth quarter, Stanback trying to lead a desperate comeback. He dropped back to pass on third and long, then scrambled.
“Third and 25,’’ Stanback said. “I got 24 yards.’’
Stanback planted his right foot at the end of the run and the top of his foot twisted and touched the turf. Stanback thought he had sprained his ankle.
“I was mad I didn’t get the first down,’’ he said.
His ankle burned. Stanback could not put weight on his foot. A cart carried him off the field and he knew then it was more than an ankle sprain.
“I don’t do the whole pick-me-up thing,’’ Stan back said.
Hoping the doctor would tell him he could return in a few weeks, Stanback learned he had fractured a bone in the Lisfranc joint of his foot and needed surgery. His recovery, at minimum, would be 9-12 months. Some players with this injury, Stanback was told, are never able to play again.
