LB Fletcher leaves field with injury

August, 9, 2012
8/09/12
7:49
PM ET
By Mike Rodak | ESPNBoston.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher left the field in the first quarter of Thursday's preseason opener against the Saints after being injured on a Patriots punt.

According to multiple reports, Fletcher suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. Such an injury would likely end Fletcher's season.

Fletcher had been running in pursuit of the punt, and after the play he remained on the ground before team medical staff surrounded him.

The third-year linebacker, who started in place of Brandon Spikes, appeared to be grabbing for his left knee. Two Patriots personnel helped Fletcher off the field and immediately to the locker room.

When the Patriots' defense returned to the field, rookie Dont'a Hightower, who started at strongside linebacker, moved to middle linebacker. He was replaced by veteran Bobby Carpenter.

Mike Rodak

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com
Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010.

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Reiss
Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Rodak
Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attended Providence College. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Yates
Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).

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