FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell, one of the team's captains this season, remains sidelined with what he described Friday as a "personal medical issue." He declined to get into specifics on what is keeping him off the field, adding that it's "out of my own hands."

"I don't know how it is anywhere else, but to have the staff that we have and especially the relationship we have with all the doctors from Mass. General Hospital and everything like that, I think we get top-of-the-line health care," he said Friday. "So I'm so blessed and grateful to be in a place where I can get the kind of treatment that's most effective. I have great confidence in our staff, the trainers, and medical staff, to help me to get back as soon as possible."

Wendell, who started 15 games last season at right guard (including playoffs), acknowledged that he plans to return to football at some point in the near future.

"Football is always on my mind," he said. "I'm excited to get back. The big story is all the guys that have been playing and doing all the hard work. I think they're doing a great job and I'm excited to get back out there with them. ... As soon as the doctors and trainers tell me I'm well enough to go, I'll be out there."

Wendell, who won't play Sunday against the Jaguars, described himself as being in good spirits.

"Any day I get to be here with the guys is a good day. Any day I get to be out on the field is a better day, so hopefully I'll be back soon," he said.