Malcolm Mitchell had one of the best rookie seasons for a Patriots wide receiver in New England history.
After compiling 32 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games of action, Mitchell had the game of his life on the NFL’s greatest stage: the Super Bowl. Mitchell memorably came up clutch with six catches for 70 yards in the Pats’ historic 25-point comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, putting an exclamation mark on the first chapter of what was sure to be a thrilling professional career.
And then everything changed.
Mitchell, who had overcome serious leg injuries in his sophomore and junior seasons at Georgia, found himself starting his second season on injured reserve after needing surgery on his right knee… all of this occurring the morning of the regular season opener, to boot.