Although Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell did recently undergo an operation on his knee, it was not a surgical procedure, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Instead, the operation was designed to “accelerate healing” on Mitchell’s knee, which has sidelined him for the entire 2017 season.
Mitchell is now on the trade block, although this most recent procedure — even if it wasn’t surgical in nature — figures to reduce any possible interest other clubs may have expressed. Nevertheless, Rapoport indicates New England is “poised to move on from the [Mitchell] and his health issues,” which sounds as though the Patriots are prepared to waive Mitchell if no team decides to take a flier via trade.
Even though Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four games of the 2018 campaign, the Patriots still have a busy wide receiver depth chart, with options such as Chris Hogan, Jordan Matthews, and Cordarrelle Patterson available. In his most recent look at New England’s roster, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com predicted Mitchell would not make the club’s 53-man squad, which could open a spot for Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, or rookie Braxton Berrios.
Mitchell, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, appeared in 14 games and made six starts during his rookie campaign, posting 32 receptions on 48 targets for 401 yards and four touchdowns. The 26-year-old was extremely efficient during the Patriots’ Super Bowl comeback in 2017, putting up six catches for 70 yards as New England defeated Atlanta.
Odd situation