MRI Shows Patriots Rookie DE Derek Rivers Has Torn ACL

Update:

Ian Rapoport reports that Patriots third-round DE Derek Rivers suffered a torn ACL and a sprained LCL based on the initial MRI of his knee.

According to Rapoport, Rivers plans to get a second opinion to confirm that this injury will require surgery.

Field Yates of Mike Reiss of ESPN are reporting that the Patriots fear their top draft pick DE Derek Rivers suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this week.

Rivers was sent back to Boston for further tests on his injured leg on Wednesday while the rest of the team remained in West Virginia.

According to Reiss, Rivers was walking with a noticeable limp after he suffered the injury on Wednesday, which took place during a kickoff coverage drill in joint practices with the Texans.

Rivers, 23, was selected in third round of this year’s NFL draft by the Patriots. He signed a four-year, $3.3 million contract and stands to make base salaries of $465,000 and $555,000 over the first two years of the agreement.

During his four-year college career at Youngstown State, Rivers recorded 173 total tackles, 37.5 sacks, 56.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one pass defense.

We’ll have more regarding Rivers’ injury as the news is available.