Danny Shelton on being a healthy scratch: 'All I can do is just be prepared every week'

FOXBOROUGH — Danny Shelton has been a healthy scratch the last two weeks, but he’s remaining optimistic he’ll be back on the field sooner rather than later.

After practice on Wednesday, the defensive lineman addressed his situation with a handful of reporters at his locker. This two-game stretch is the first time he’s been a healthy scratch on back-to-back occasions, and described the situation as frustrating. At the same time, he’s focused on moving forward.


“All I can do is just be prepared every week,” he said. “Obviously, I’m going to show up and practice and do my part. When that time comes and my name is called, I’ll be ready.

“Honestly, it’s about just continuing to grind it out every week. Because we’re all about competition here, and we just have to keep on competing.”

Shelton, who said he hasn’t been given a reason behind his two inactives, said the aim now is to be ready when his number is called.

“Obviously, I want to be out there. When it’s my time, I’ll be ready,” he said. “(But) that’s just how the business. is. You just have to continue to focus on that week and just compete. That’s what I’m planning on doing this week, and we’ll see what happens at the end.”

One of the things that’s stood out as a negative over the last two weeks is the run defense — in that stretch, the Patriots have allowed a whopping 8.4 yards per carry, including 189 rushing yards total against Miami last Sunday. Shelton has struggled at times this year, but his presence could provide some much needed depth at the defensive tackle spot.

“The competitor in me is always going to feel that level of frustration,” he said of the feeling he got over the last two weeks while on the sideline. “But at the same time, I believe in my guys. We’re a strong group. I believe that they can get the job done. It’s just a minor setback — we’re going to continue to stay focused and focus on this week.

“For me, personally, I’m just focused on this week and focused on the opportunity,” he added. “When I get the opportunity, I’ll be ready and execute. And dominate.”