The lesson? ‘Don’t get hurt’

Jackson, Morris looking to return after injury-shortened 2007

While the football world was transfixed by New England’s run toward perfection last season, wide receiver Chad Jackson and running back Sammy Morris spent much of the second half of the season like the rest of us, watching the entire drama unfold from afar.

The two missed the bulk of the 2007 campaign with injuries: Jackson with a torn ACL he suffered in the 2006 AFC Championship Game; and Morris, who was knocked out for the rest of the 2007 season after suffering a sternum clavicle separation on Oct. 14 against Dallas.

Being an injured Patriot can be dicey. You’re essentially in limbo — part of the team, but not quite part of the team. Players view you as less of a teammate and more of a cautionary tale. After your injury, the rest of the franchise moves forward without you. And in the eyes of the coaches, you’re out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

“It was kind of hard not being a part of it, and not having your named called in the papers or anything like that,” said Jackson, who played in just two regular-season games and one playoff game last year. “It’s not what it’s all about. You just want to feel like you’re part of the team. You want to be out there helping those guys, and helping those guys win.”

“You start working out in March and you prepare yourself for a long season, and to have it cut short is difficult,” Morris said. “I wouldn’t think that being 16-0 or 0-16 would make any difference on that. An injury-shortened season is always tough.”

Through the early days of training camp, the two are vying to reclaim their old spots, or even move up the depth chart. With the departure of Donte Stallworth in free agency, Jackson appears to have a realistic shot at the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver spot. In addition, his kick return abilities could also have him playing a significant role as a special teamer — through the early stages of training camp, he’s worked extensively with the starting kick return unit.

“Chad is a terrific athlete. He has worked very hard, even though he has had a few tough setbacks,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “He has had a great offseason this year. He has worked very hard. His receiving skills have improved.

“He understands the offense obviously a lot better, and he is still a very talented physical athlete who’s continued to work hard in that area, too. I think that he is off too a good start based on the spring and in training camp. I’m excited to see him out there.”

Despite the fact that New England acquired veteran running back LaMont Jordan over the weekend, one would think that Morris has the inside track on the No. 2 running back spot, a position he did an excellent job filling last season. While acting as a complimentary back — and occasional starter in place of Laurence Maroney — he finished with 384 rushing yards through six games.

For Morris, it was the first stint on injured reserve in his eight-year career.

“I think regardless of my role, it was my first time being on injured reserve, and that, in itself, was tough enough,” Morris said. “But yeah, it was difficult to get a chance to be involved and get called on to do some things. Then, to miss out, it was tough.”

Both Jackson and Morris know spending the better part of the last year on the shelf has put them way behind in their professional development. As a result, they’ve both learned a powerful lesson about life in the NFL.

“Don’t get hurt,” Jackson warned. “Once you get hurt, you fall way behind, especially in this league.”