Sidelined all of last season due to a knee injury, Malcolm Mitchell needed another knee procedure on Monday, Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal reports (on Twitter).
Mitchell is now a trade candidate, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who adds (Twitter link) that this operation explains some of the Patriots’ frustration here. But this procedure figures to complicate any trade talks New England will have regarding the third-year wide receiver.
The Patriots are high on Kenny Britt‘s ability to bounce back after a dreadful showing with the Browns, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). New England also has Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson and rookie Braxton Berrios in the mix now. And while Julian Edelman will miss a second straight September, he’s going to lead the receiving group upon return. There might not be room for Mitchell, leading Daniels to tweet that Mitchell is facing an uphill battle to make the roster while floating the idea of an injury settlement at this point (Twitter links).
Mitchell showed promise as a rookie in 2016, catching 32 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns. He added 70 air yards in Super Bowl LI but could not build on that momentum because of the rampant knee trouble he experienced last year.
So that’s why they were trying to trade him, lol
Good luck getting much more than a 7th rounder for him Pats.
7th will work. Flip it for a 4th eventually.
Nah. they’ll use the 7th rounder and make the pick a Hofer
WTF? The Pats finally find a young, athletic WR who can pick up the offense and he’s done?
Saw the injury happen in pre-season last year and it didn’t seem outrageous. Had no idea he was going to this fragile. Oh well, at least he can spend more time selling his children’s books.
Dude, he’s more fragile than my grandma. I like MM, but he’s not fit to be a WR, especially in the NE system.
They forgot to mention that the Pats have Hogan too…