The Patriots offense was dealt a blow during Sunday's 27-10 victory over Washington when it lost the services of Dion Lewis. A day later, the* Boston Globe*, and several other outlets, reported the running back tore the ACL in his left knee and will be lost for the season.
Lewis injured the knee while cutting during a 14-yard pickup on a screen pass from Tom Brady during the third quarter of the Redskins game. Lewis crumbled to the turf without contact, immediately grabbing at his left knee before being tended to on the field. He walked off under his own power and left for the locker room.
He underwent an MRI Monday morning and the Boston Globe reported the results showed a torn ACL. Several other media outlets have confirmed the Globe's report.
The loss of Lewis will have an impact on the offense, which had benefitted greatly from his quick and decisive cuts and ability to make tacklers miss in the open field. It's also a cruel blow to Lewis, who has battled injuries throughout his career before finding his niche in New England and emerging as a huge part of the league's most potent attack.
In his seven games with the Patriots (he missed the Week 7 win over the Jets with an abdominal injury), Lewis picked up 234 yards rushing and two touchdowns and added 36 receptions for 388 yards and two more touchdowns.
While his presence will be missed, the Patriots still have James White, a 2014 fourth-round pick, as well as the versatile Brandon Bolden on the roster. It's also possible that New England could re-sign Travaris Cadet, who was with the team early in the season before being let go in late September.
