When Patriots guard Logan Mankins went down on Sunday with a knee injury, it didn't look good since he never returned to the 27-24 win over the Dolphins.
We can breath a sigh of relief as the Boston Globe reported today that Mankins only sprained the MCL in his left knee and he won't need surgery. If you are a Patriots fan, there is no doubt that you are familiar with this injury. Linebackers Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes have both dealt with it this season; Mayo returned quickly while Spikes still hasn't come back after getting hurt on November 6 against the Giants.
New England (12-3) closes out the regular season vs. Buffalo on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. They've already clinched a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs and they'll get the No. 1 seed if they can beat the Bills. This all means that Mankins will have basically three weeks off before another meaningful game. I'm not sure if he's a fast healer or not, since he's basically never hurt, but at least this gives us all hope that we haven't seen the last of him this season.
It hasn't been Mankins' best season, he has been a Pro Bowler in the past, but anybody outside of Donald Thomas' extended family would pick Mankins over his replacement.
In other Patriots roster news, the Globe also said that New England plans to sign fullback Lousaka Polite to take Ross Ventrone's vacated place. Thomas had been used as a fullback at times but he'll be starting in Mankins' spot.
To me, this smells like a one-week move since as I said, Mankins will likely be back for the playoffs. Polite played in four preseason games for the Dolphins but has not appeared in a regular season game since last season. In seven NFL seasons (Miami, Chicago, Dallas) he's played in 75 games for three teams.
UPDATE 12/27: Cornerback Malcolm Williams was resigned to the practice squad where Ventrone is expected back as soon as tomorrow.
Tonight, eight Patriots were announced to the 2012 Pro Bowl. Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Mankins, Brian Waters, Andre Carter, Vince Wilfork and Matthew Slater (special teams).
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