Danny Amendola Injury: Updates on Patriots Star's Ankle and Return

New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola was dealing with an ankle injury leading into Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but is ready to return.

Continue for updates.      

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Amendola Active vs. Steelers

Sunday, Jan. 22

The Patriots announced Amendola is available to play against Pittsburgh.   

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Amendola Has Seen Role Reduced in Passing Game

Amendola made it through the Patriots' first 12 games this season before going down in Week 13 with an ankle injury. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Patriots' intent was to get Amendola ready for the postseason, and he had two targets last week against the Houston Texans in limited duty.  

Amendola has taken on a lesser role in New England's offense, starting only four times in the 12 games he was able to play before injuring his ankle. He was tied for the team lead with four touchdowns at the time of his injury, though he had just 23 catches and 243 yards overall. 

The Patriots are having trouble keeping their playmakers healthy. Tight end Rob Gronkowski is out for the year with a back injury that required surgery.

New England head coach Bill Belichick is better at adapting than anyone else in the NFL. Amendola's extensive injury history is something Belichick knows well, so the team has contingencies in place to remain effective against a high-powered Steelers offense if Amendola can't handle a full workload.