Getty ImagesThe season has ended as soon as it started for Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher.
Fletcher left tonight’s preseason game against the Saints with a knee injury early in the first quarter, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the injury is a torn ACL. He suffered the injury while running down the field covering a punt and was helped off the field by the medical staff.
After signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010, Fletcher has become a solid backup linebacker and special teams player. He started tonight’s game at inside linebacker in place of Brandon Spikes.
After Fletcher left, rookie linebacker Dont’a Hightower moved to the inside and Bobby Carpenter replaced Hightower at strong side linebacker.
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Tough break for Fletcher
And the play he got hurt on didn’t even count as there was a flag on the play
Tough break for Fletcher he’s a hard worker but always seems to have some kind of injury. A Belichick type player to be sure. I feel bad for Fletcher but thankfully for the Pats they are well stocked at linebacker.
Damn, that sucks. I was hoping he’d get some serious playing time this year. He plays a good game.
O-line looks like garbage without Matt Light
That sucks. That kid plays his butt off every game. Tough guy to lose
that stinks…he was in there because Spikes (who can’t seem to shake HIS knee issues) wasn’t available. Fletcher also was very solid of special teams. That’s a dent in depth chart.
But it’s early in the NFL calendar year…he’ll get back in time for next year and the PUP list. Hope he keeps his chin up and gets back to where he wants to be.
NFL about to leak to media that it was part of a Saints bounty.
Pretty heartbreaking stuff for those of us that still believed in him. The guy has so much potential to be unlocked still. Get well soon Fletch.
Who gets the bounty? /sarcasm
Tough break…
Yeah good thing Spikes is a rock and never gets hurt. Oh wait…
On the bright side, after watching Chandler Jones my pants looked like I just won a gold medal in rowing.
P.S. i got 5k on Flecher (sic)
Not a fan of the Patriots, but hate to see this happen to anyone.
I know it’s part of the game, but I hold my breath throughout preseason.
Hope he has a speedy recovery.
no MRI yet.
lesbepatient
so that was a cartoff?
Would really suck if the MRI shows a torn ACL…Fletch is a tough guy so I’m sure he’ll bounce back from it next season if it turns out he’s out until then…In the meantime, it opens up a spot for another LB to make the roster…Tracy White just may stick since I think Carpenter was going to make the roster even before this