JuJu Smith-Schuster played limited snaps for the New England Patriots in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and there have been concerns about his health for the season. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer had reported before the season that Smith-Schuster’s knee was in poor condition, but the 26-year-old wide receiver refuted that report. However, in the game, rookies Kayson Boutte and Demario Douglas saw more playing time than him, especially in the two-minute drill. Despite this, Smith-Schuster remained understanding of the situation.

When asked if he was frustrated by his reduced playing time, Smith-Schuster responded, “No, not frustrated at all. I’ve been in this league way too long. When the time is called, when the opportunity is called for me, I’ll make my play.”

It appears that Smith-Schuster is taking a patient and team-oriented approach, trusting that his opportunities will come as the season progresses.

The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan reported that there are internal concerns within the Patriots organization regarding JuJu Smith-Schuster, with some considering him the team’s fifth-most effective wide receiver. However, Smith-Schuster expressed optimism about his knee on Friday.

When asked about the status of his knee, Smith-Schuster stated, “Yeah, 100%. I think it’s 100%. I’ve been working on it every day. It’s nice being here, finding a good routine, and working with the trainer every single day to be ready to perform.”

Smith-Schuster was not listed on the Patriots’ injury report, but it remains to be seen if he will see more playing time in the upcoming “Sunday Night Football” game against the Miami Dolphins compared to his limited role in Week 1. Fans will have to wait and see how he performs in the upcoming game to assess his readiness and effectiveness on the field.