Linebacker Lawrence Timmons barely saw the field this preseason, but with the New England Patriots on the horizon Thursday in Foxborough, he is raring to go.
Timmons played in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, but has since been sidelined with a toe injury. He said he is feeling fine now, and would have played against Carolina in the preseason had that been a regular season game.
"I'm good now, full participation," said Timmons. "I could have went into the game, but just taking the necessary precautions. I am looking forward to it."
Timmons will be a key factor for the defense that hasn't seen much time together as a unit this preseason, something that doesn't concern him. He said what happens in the preseason is just that, and once the regular season starts it's all different.
"The season is the season and the preseason is the preseason," said Timmons. "They are not together at all. There is nothing we can do but practice and go up there.
"What is going to be important is what we do. We have to play together as a unit. We have to be positive. We know what we have got. We are going to put it together and play ball."
The defense, and the team in general, will have to be on top of their game going against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady, who had his four-game suspension for deflategate nullified.
"They are a great franchise," said Timmons. "They come with it every year. We have to show them that we can win and it's going to be a big part of the start for our season. We need to get that win.
"Our coaches do a good job of getting a game plan for us. We are looking forward to carrying that out and getting a win in Foxborough."
