Kevin Faulk is 35 years old and coming off surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, but the veteran running back refuses to entertain talk of retirement, the Boston Herald reports Monday.

"That word (retirement) is not in my vocabulary right now," Faulk told the newspaper at a charity event Sunday. "If it's possible, if (the Patriots) allow me to, I'd like to play another season."

The Patriots' longest-tenured player sustained the torn ACL when New York Jets cornerback Drew Coleman shoved him out of bounds during the fourth quarter of New England's 28-14 loss in September, ending his season.

Asked about the knee, Faulk said: "Right now, I'm doing everything. Right now, I can't complain."

Faulk, who is a free agent, has long been one of the Patriots' best receivers out of the backfield and a reliable pass blocker. He has averaged at least 4.3 yards per carry and caught at least 37 passes in each full season he has played since 2006.

New England's decision to draft running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in April's draft doesn't deter Faulk, who participated in player-only workouts led by Tom Brady earlier this month and swapped phone numbers with the rookie backs.

"People are telling me they drafted two running backs, but, hey, I've never questioned anything the Patriots have done. That's why they're who they are."