Report: Jabaal Sheard Dealing With Sprained MCL, Could Return In Time For Season Opener
BOSTON (CBS) -- Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard suffered a sprained MCL during the Patriots' first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, a source told the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe.
Sheard sustained the injury during the game on Aug. 11 and the injury is not considered "overly serious," which would give him a recovery timetable of 2-4 weeks. His MCL could be back to 100 percent in time for the Patriots' Sept. 11 season opener on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.
Elsewhere on the Patriots front-seven, Rob Ninkovich continues to recover from a torn triceps muscle and Shea McClellin is working back from an as-yet undisclosed injury. Add Sheard to a growing list of concerning injuries on the Patriots roster on both offense and defense.
Chris Long and Trey Flowers started last Thursday's preseason game against the Chicago Bears in the absence of Sheard and Ninkovich and could see another start on Friday against the Carolina Panthers.
