MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 9: Detail of a New England Patriots helmet before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots have placed veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler on injured reserve.
Butler, 32, has not practiced since Thursday’s preseason opener.
The NFL world reacted on Twitter to this news.
“Dang. With other guys coming up to camp I wondered about Butler,” one fan wrote.
“It’s hard to watch… I wanted to see the comeback,” added another.
“This is a tough snap for Butler, but it wasn’t a lock for the 53. The Patriots CB depth chart is starting to crystallize,” Pats tight end Chris Mason said.
The Super Bowl XLIX hero started Thursday night in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the New York Giants. He recorded 23 defensive snaps in the contest.
Butler, who played in New England from 2014-2017, rejoined the Patriots after a year out before this offseason, signing a two-year, $5 million contract with his former team .
Details on the injury have not yet been released, but it is considered a season-ending issue.