Report: Dane Fletcher Tears ACL In Patriots' Preseason Opener
BOSTON (CBS) -- The one thing teams really want out of preseason games is to come out healthy. Unfortunately for Dane Fletcher and the Patriots, that wish barely made it halfway into the first quarter.
The Patriots' third-year linebacker was injured in punt coverage on the Patriots' first possession and was helped off the field. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Fletcher suffered a torn ACL on the play.
If that diagnosis turns out to be true, it'll mean Fletcher will be lost for the season.
Fletcher, 25, had 32 total tackles last season in 10 games after recording two sacks in his rookie season in 2010. Last year in the postseason, Fletcher recorded five tackles (one for a loss) against the Broncos, two tackles (one QB hit) against the Ravens and one tackle against the Giants in the Super Bowl.
On the play when Fletcher injured his knee, a Saints player jumped offside, thereby giving the Patriots a first down and negating the play.
