Report: Patriots' top pick Derek Rivers diagnosed with torn ACL
The New England Patriots, who didn't have first- or second-round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, may have lost their top selection, defensive end Derek Rivers.
From @MikeReiss & I: the Patriots fear their top draft pick DE Derek Rivers has suffered a season-ending knee injury, per league sources.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 18, 2017
An MRI revealed Rivers tore his ACL and sprained his LCL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. A second opinion will determine whether surgery is needed.
Rivers was selected 83rd overall with the Patriots' first draft pick. He was listed behind defensive end Trey Flowers on the Patriots' official depth chart, where he was expected to provide depth as a pass rusher off the right edge.
Rivers was sent home from Wednesday's joint practice with the Houston Texans, after appearing to suffer a knee/leg injury, according to Zack Cox of NESN.