WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Patriots defensive lineman Derek Rivers departed midway through today's joint practice with the Texans practice with a left leg injury.
Rivers went down while covering a kickoff, and trainer Jim Whalen initially checked his knee and then the back of his leg, potentially the hamstring.
Rivers, the Patriots' top draft pick this year at No. 83 overall, remained on the ground in a good amount of pain for a couple minutes before slowly walking to the sideline and then about another 100 yards to the locker room.
He wasn’t limping.
Early tests were positive, and the Patriots were optimistic that Rivers avoided a significant injury, according to a source.