Derek Rivers Suffers Injury, Leaves Patriots' Joint Practice With Texans
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' top pick from the 2017 draft suffered an injury during Wednesday's practice.
Derek Rivers, the defensive end who was picked 83rd overall in this year's draft, suffered a leg injury while participating in a kickoff drill.
Injury situation to monitor: Top pick Derek Rivers (3rd round, 83rd overall) goes down with left leg/knee injury on kickoff coverage drill.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2017
Trainer Jim Whalen checked Rivers' knee and the back of his leg. DR walked off on his own into the locker room. No water, guess not cramps.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 16, 2017
Rivers had a sack in the first 11-on-11 rep of practice, too. He's been coming on of late. Severity is unknown.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 16, 2017
Patriots already were shallow at DE before Rivers went down. Only healthy DEs left are Flowers, Ealy, Grissom, Kidder and kind of Butler.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 16, 2017
The Patriots on Wednesday were participating in a joint practice with the Houston Texans in West Virginia for the second straight day.
The Patriots play the Texans on Saturday night in their second preseason game of 2017.
Rivers recorded 14 sacks in his senior season at Youngstown State, making 58 total tackles, forcing a fumble and recovering three fumbles. Over his final three collegiate seasons, he recorded 35 sacks in 39 games.