FOXBORO - Patriots running back Jeremy Hill suffered a knee injury in the third quarter that appeared to have all the making of an ACL.
After a 25-yard completion from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski was jarred loose, Hill was in pursuit to make the tackle. But Patriots fullback James Develin was blocked into the side of Hill's right knee. It buckled and he fell. Hill stayed on the turf for about two minutes before being helped to the sidelines. He didn't put any weight on the leg and immediately went to the sideline medical tent before being helped to the locker room. The team announced he wouldn't return for the rest of the game.
It will probably be quite a bit longer, as he indicated in a postgame Tweet:
Acquired as a free agent from Cincinnati, Hill beat out Mike Gillislee for the big-back role with a solid training camp. He carried four times for 25 yards in the first half and caught a pass for 6 yards.
The Patriots released both Gillislee and Brandon Bolden in the offseason. Hill, Rex Burkhead, and James White are the main backs now.
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