New England Patriots WR Brandon LaFell says he will play Saturday

New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell is dealing with injuries to a toe and a shoulder, but told reporters, via ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, that there is no need to worry about him — he’s playing this weekend.

“I’m doing great, man. Rested my body up a little bit and now it’s game week. I'm ready to get out there and play and make plays,” Lafell said.

LaFell, in his first season with the Patriots after four years with the Carolina Panthers, had 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season -- far and away the best numbers of his career.

His previous career bests had been 49 catches and five scores in 2013 and 677 yards in 2012.

A third-round pick out of LSU in 2010, LaFell signed with New England as a free agent in March and was quarterback Tom Brady’s third-most used option in the passing game with 119 targets in 16 games. Only Julian Edelman (134) and Rob Gronkowski (131) were targeted more often. His seven touchdowns were the second-highest total on the team, trailing only Gronkowski’s 12.