Report: Mitchell’s knee still iffy
Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell underwent a procedure yesterday to determine the extent and cause of discomfort in his knee, according to a source.
Mitchell is not currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but his status appears in doubt.
The Pats are expected to make a determination on Mitchell’s future in the next 24-48 hours, the source said. The team will hold its first training camp practice on Thursday.
Mitchell, who is entering his third NFL season, was on injured reserve for the entire 2017 regular season. He began practicing late in the year, but never was moved to the active roster.
He enjoyed a terrific rookie season in 2016, establishing himself as one of Tom Brady’s top options. He caught six passes for 70 yards in the thrilling Super Bowl victory over Atlanta. But Mitchell missed offseason workouts before his second year, and never looked 100 percent in training camp. He experienced discomfort in his right knee during the second preseason game against the Texans. Mitchell has not played in a game since.
A fourth-round pick, Mitchell had knee issues dating back to his college days at Georgia. He suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and underwent an additional surgery in the summer of 2014.
A source confirmed that the Pats have attempted to trade Mitchell as the preseason nears.
The team has a short list of players opening camp on the active/PUP list: Receiver Kenny Britt, safety Nate Ebner, cornerbacks Cyrus Jones and Jonathan Jones. Britt suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the offseason. Ebner went on injured reserve with a knee injury last year. Cyrus Jones tore his ACL during the preseason last year, while Jonathan Jones suffered a lower leg injury during the post-season.
Also, receiver/tight end Cody Hollister opens on the active/non-football injury list, and running back Brandon Bolden on the active/ non-football illness list. All can come off lists at any time.
In other news, the Patriots also announced they signed wide receiver Devin Lucien, while releasing defensive back David Jones. Lucien was a seventhround pick in the 2016 draft out of Arizona State. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver spent his rookie season on the practice squad. He was at training camp last year before being cut.