Mitchell placed on IR

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.

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.

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.

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.