The Patriots have released WR Malcolm Mitchell. The 2016 4th-rounder has a long history of knee issues dating back to college and had another surgery in late July. New England shopped Mitchell on the trade market, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but found no takers. We'll see if Mitchell can find a home in free agency, but he's well off the redraft radar for now.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell underwent surgery on his knee on Monday, according to the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels. It's presumably the same right knee that he injured late in 2016 and caused him to miss the entire 2017 season. Now Mitchell's 2018 campaign "looks to be in jeopardy," Daniels writes. The 25-year-old is obviously off the redraft radar -- and his dynasty value is fading fast. Jordan Matthews looks like the favorite to serve as New England's #2 WR with Julian Edelman suspended for the season's first 4 games.

Update: The procedure on Mitchell's knee was "aimed at hoping to accelerate healing," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell admitted that he's unsure if he'll be ready for the start of camp. Mitchell has a long history of knee issues dating back to his college days. He hurt his right knee late in the 2016 campaign, missed all of this past season and is evidently still being bothered by the issue. Mitchell finds plenty of opportunity this year with Brandin Cooks gone and Julian Edelman suspended for 4 games. But he can't capitalize if he's not the field. Jordan Matthews looks like the better late-round flier in the Patriots' WR corps right now.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman is facing a 4-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Edelman has appealed the ban, so we'll see if it gets reduced. But fantasy owners should now be drafting as if he'll miss the first 4 games of the season. Edelman is returning from last August's torn ACL but had averaged 9.6 targets per game over the previous 3 seasons. So this is a big opportunity opening up in an offense that's finished top 12 in passing yards in an incredible 16 straight years. WR Chris Hogan is a good bet to serve as New England's #1 WR during Edelman's suspension. Jordan Matthews, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson will battle for snaps behind Hogan.

The Patriots have placed WR Malcolm Mitchell on IR with a knee injury. We don't have any other details, but it's certainly worth noting that Mitchell tore an ACL in 2013 and required another surgery on the same knee in 2014. We'll see if New England tabs him their "designated-to-return" player, but there's no reason to roster Mitchell in redraft leagues right now. Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are locked in as New England's top 3 WRs.

ESPN's Mike Reiss notes that Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell has been "slowed" by a knee injury. Mitchell injured his right knee 2 separate times in college, including a torn ACL in 2013. "His availability at this time remains an unknown," Reiss adds. Mitchell finds more opportunity now with Julian Edelman's season-ending injury, but he obviously needs to get healthy.

The Patriots have acquired WR Brandin Cooks from the Saints, sending a 1st- and a 3rd-round pick and getting back a 4th-rounder. Cooks caught 162 passes over the past 2 seasons, topping 1,100 yards in each campaign and scoring 17 TDs over that span. He finished among the top 13 WRs across fantasy formats in each of those seasons. The Pats control his rights for the next 2 years, including a team option for 2018. Cooks lands in 1 of the few offenses that approximates the efficiency of New Orleans and figures to quickly challenge Julian Edelman for the team target lead. His fantasy outlook doesn't change drastically from what it's been with the Saints. Other WRs in New England will have more trouble finding regular opportunities. Back in New Orleans, Michael Thomas should grab a larger share of targets, while Willie Snead stands to gain if the team doesn't add anything more than Ted Ginn to the corps this offseason.

Patriots WRs Chris Hogan (thigh) and Malcolm Mitchell (knee) are active for tonight's AFC Championship against the Steelers. WR Michael Floyd is a healthy scratch, leaving Danny Amendola as the #4 WR.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Patriots WRs Chris Hogan (thigh) and Malcolm Mitchell (ankle) are both expected to play against the Steelers today. They figure to join Julian Edelman as New England's top 3 WRs and are viable DFS plays.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers after a limited week of practice. He's in the same boat as last week, when he ended up inactive. There's more optimism about Mitchell's availability this weekend, though. "It's trending in the right direction," ESPN's Mike Reiss tweeted on Friday afternoon. We'll find out Mitchell's official status around 5 pm ET on Sunday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) won't play against the Texans tonight. That figures to leave Chris Hogan as the #2 WR alongside JulIan Edelman. We're betting on WR Michael Floyd playing the 3rd most snaps, with Danny Amendola as the #4 WR.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against Texans. He was limited in practice all week, and the New England media hasn't sounded very optimistic about his status. We probably won't find out Mitchell's official status until inactives are announced around 7 pm ET.

Patriots WR Danny Amendola (ankle) put in a full practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to return for this weekend's game against the Texans. He's been out since Week 13. Amendola will join a crowded WR group that also includes Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Michael Floyd and potentially Malcolm Mitchell, who was limited on Wednesday with his knee injury.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) returned to practice on Thursday. That seemingly puts him on track to play in the Divisional Round after missing the regular season finale. Mitchell averaged 4.2 catches, 51 yards and .67 TDs over his last 6 games.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) didn’t practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. He tweaked the knee last week that he’s had 3 surgeries on. His status for the postseason is unclear. Mitchell’s absence will leave Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Michael Floyd as New England’s top 3 WRs.