{"id":27614,"date":"2017-08-17T19:19:30","date_gmt":"2017-08-17T23:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=27614"},"modified":"2017-08-18T09:05:06","modified_gmt":"2017-08-18T13:05:06","slug":"derek-rivers-medical-examination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/08\/17\/derek-rivers-medical-examination\/","title":{"rendered":"Derek Rivers Returns to Boston for Medical Examination"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been a rough offseason for the AFC East. During a joint practice with the Houston Texans on Wednesday, rookie defensive end Derek Rivers<\/strong> suffered a left leg\/knee injury while participating in a kickoff coverage drill. Rivers joins the list of injured AFC East players, including Jordan Matthews<\/a><\/strong> of the Buffalo Bills, Lucky Whitehead<\/a><\/strong> and Quincy Enunwa<\/a><\/strong> of the New York Jets, and Ryan Tannehill<\/a><\/strong> of the Miami Dolphins.<\/p>\n

Derek Rivers Returns to Boston for Medical Examination<\/h2>\n

While the New England Patriots<\/a> left to participate in an upcoming preseason matchup against the Houston Texans, Rivers returned to Boston to undergo a medical examination for his injury. Rivers was joined by left tackle LaAdrian Waddle<\/a><\/strong>, who was injured on Tuesday. Neither Rivers nor Deatrich Wise Jr<\/strong>., the second defensive end drafted by New England in the 2017 NFL Draft, will participate in Saturday\u2019s game. Wise suffered a head injury in last week\u2019s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that the team is optimistic but will wait to hear back from test results.<\/p>\n

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The Patriots are optimistic that Derek Rivers avoided a significant injury, but tests aren’t done yet. Still, the early word is positive.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 16, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rivers was selected by New England in the third round of the draft. The rookie out of Youngstown State was praised for his high level of production<\/a> and ability to disrupt in gaps in the offense. He was New England\u2019s first selection in the draft, having traded draft picks across the league for several key players. One of these trades involved defensive end Kony Ealy<\/a><\/strong>, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. The Patriots drafted Wise in the fourth round to supplement the position. The team also signed undrafted rookie Caleb Kidder<\/strong> in late July.<\/p>\n

The injury raises concerns at defensive end for the Patriots. Earlier in the offseason, reports surfaced that Ealy had not participated in practice due to non-injury-related issues<\/a>. Ealy is also reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury that will not keep him out of play on Saturday. Injuries to Rivers and Wise, coupled with apparent turbulence with Ealy, leaves the depth chart looking thin. Trey Flowers<\/a><\/strong>, Geneo Grissom<\/a><\/strong>, and Keionta Davis<\/strong> round out the Patriots roster at the position.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>