Jason Campbell spoke with the media for the first time since his season-ending clavicle injury Friday, joining The Drive on 95.7 The GAME. Here is a transcript of Campbell's interview.
On the injury:
Its frustrating. Id like be out with my teammates on Sunday.
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SIGN UP HERE Did you have a Why me? moment?
Coming over here was a fresh start... I felt great about coming here... This year started off really good. Overcoming so many obstacles... losing Mr. Davis. Still winning... Its such a big year for me and our team... Its not a time for me to get negative or down. I have to respond... get my health right. Once I get healthy, well see what happens from that standpoint.
On the play versus Cleveland in which he was hurt:
I knew if I cant get the read I wanted that Id probably have to run for the first down... Then Cleveland LB Scott Fujita tackled me, he landed right on top of me... the only thing I felt was a bone just crack. And I knew at the time it was my collarbone... One part of the collarbone was up and the other was down... It had broken in tow... I knew I was hurt... but just wanted to know how long? Just kept asking how long?
How much did Coach Hue Jackson talk to you about the Carson Palmer trade?
I didnt really get a chance to talk to him before the trade happened. I had surgery Sunday night... so I still didnt really know what happened. Started getting text messages... theres been a trade... and thats when I saw what happened. As a player in this league, you cant worry about the things that go on from a business side of things... you know what youre worth... you know what youve done for this franchise since you got here
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My goal is to get back as healthy as possible when I can... dont get caught up with all the things going on and whats being said because we all dont know. I dont want to put myself in a position where Im stressing about stuff I dont need to be worrying about.
Do you feel disenfranchised based on the chance that youll be back this season?
...It upsets you to a point, but youve been in these shoes before... You just dont ever know whats going to happen... dont get caught up in it.
What was going through your mind when you saw the Hue JacksonCarson Palmer press conference?
I was halfway still on pain medicine. It was kind of a moment of silence. My fianc looked at me to see if I was gonna say something. Theres different things that go through your mind but you dont want to fill your mind with those thoughts... My whole mindset right now is to keep things as positive as possible... I want to be as supportive as to them my teammates as they were to me... Everything will work itself out.
Can Carson Palmer come in and play this Sunday?
...Theyd have to cut down some of the playbook because we do a lot of different shifts and motions to try to keep defenses on their heels and from that standpoint, you have to try to do things thats easy for him and at the same point, he can adjust to because hes been out of football for awhile... They will definitely have to simplify a lot of the offense.
What has Coach Hue Jackson said to you about your future with the team?
He said Dont worry about any of the things out there being said... just worry about getting healthy. I still believe in you. We brought you here. Youve done everything weve asked of you. You helped turn the franchise around. Youre winning. Youre playing good. Dont get frustrated... just focus on getting back healthy and move forward.
How are you thinking about moving forward for the rest of the season?
My standpoint is that Ive built such a relationship with these guys. Im very close to a lot of the guys on the team... and its hard not to be there with them. My standpoint is I dont know what the future holds... My goal is that when Im healthy and get back on the field, and play, and play well, and then well see what happens.
How would you sum up Raider Nation to Carson Palmer?
First, I appreciate everything that Raider Nation has done since Ive been injured... as a player, you really take that to heart. My family, they really appreciate it. When you come here, to the Raiders, this is a real fan base... Im so happy for them to see a football team... to give them something to cheer about.