Even before the 2017 regular season started, the New England Patriots have had to deal with some high-profile injuries. Wide receiver Julian Edelman and defensive edge Derek Rivers both tore their ACLs over the summer, while linebacker Shea McClellin and wideout Malcolm Mitchell were placed on injured reserve with a chance to get activated at a later point during the season – something the Patriots planned to do.
However, neither of the two players would see the field in 2017 as both suffered setbacks after being designated for the two injured reserve returnee spots.