The New England Patriots suffered an early injury when linebacker Raekwon McMillan sustained a partially torn Achilles during organized team activities.
New England placed McMillan on the injured reserve late last month, forcing the 27-year-old to miss the entire 2023 season. Bill Belichick commented on the loss when speaking to reporters Tuesday.
“Raekwon gave us a lot of versatility. It just was an unfortunate situation, but you know, he’s young,” Belichick said, per the team site. “I think things went well when he came back from the ACL a year ago, played in every game, except for one. I think he missed with a thumb or something, but, hopefully he’ll be back.”
McMillan missed his entire rookie season with an ACL before returning to compile 105 tackles for the Miami Dolphins in 2018. After one more season in Miami, the former second-round pick played 16 games with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
However, McMillan again tore his ACL during an August 2021 practice.
Returning from his second season-long absence, McMillan recorded 35 tackles and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He played 250 defensive snaps in 16 games with Belichick’s Patriots.
The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder must try to recover from his third significant leg injury in seven years.