Marcus Stroud didn’t make it out of training camp with the Patriots last year because of a shoulder injury, but he’s not quite ready to give up all hope of getting back on the field.
Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com reports that Stroud, who turns 34 in June, is considering a return to the NFL this season. He says his shoulder, which developed a staph infection after surgery, feels better after sitting out the season.
It’s been a while since Stroud was a really productive player, but he had some very good years during his time with the Jaguars and Bills. Stroud made three straight Pro Bowls from 2003-2005 with Jacksonville and was a strong part of the Bills defense in 2008 before they switched to a 3-4 look that didn’t make the best use of his skills. That made him seem like a poor fit in New England even before his shoulder made it a moot point.
He’s probably not more than a rotational piece at this point in his career, albeit one that would probably get a few nibbles based on his past production.