Light On Mankins: 'The Cowboy Will Ride Again'
FOXBORO (CBS) - New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light had to sit out Saturday's game against the Miami Dolphins, but is confident he can retake the field sooner rather than later.
"We're getting there, buddy," Light responded when asked about how he was feeling on Tuesday. "I just wasn't able to go the other day, unfortunately. It's a tough deal, game-day, making that decision. But we'll work this week and get back out there. It's feeling better."
Light was a late scratch Saturday with an ankle injury. He warmed up but was not able to go for the Patriots 27-24 win over Miami.
In his spot, guard Logan Mankins moved over to left tackle, a position he had not played since college. But that did not last long, as Mankins was also injured just a few plays into the first quarter. Mankins reportedly suffered an MCL sprain, and will miss Sunday's regular season finale against Buffalo.
"He's a tough guy, a guy that's never missed a practice or a game, or had any of those kind of issues. When you see that happen, it's always tough to watch," Light said of the Mankins injury. "But I'm sure the Cowboy will ride again. He'll be good."
The Patriots relied on a pair of rookies at tackle with both veterans going down. First-round pick Nate Solder and fifth-round selection Marcus Cannon filled in, and Light things they did a good job despite allowing Tom Brady to be sacked four times.
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"I think those guys all fought hard. To come back in the second half that way and battle back, and get a win, that was a heck of an effort," he said. "We have a lot of things we have to correct, and there always a lot of things we have to do better. But those guys did a great job out there. Of course, guys stepping up and playing positions they hadn't practiced, and going through plays they haven't run -- maybe at all in some cases -- it's not an easy task."
And Light is confident his team will have it all together in time for a playoff run.
"I never have any lack of confidence in that, whether it's Dante [Scarnecchia] working with some of the younger guys, or some of the vets, talking to those guys, or just guys stepping up and going out and doing their job. It will work out one way or the other."
