Pats Dodge A Serious Bullet: Logan Mankins Only Has Sprained MCL In His Left Knee

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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Edelman Named AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Julian Edelman turned in one of the best games of his NFL career on Monday night as he had a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown in New England's 34-3 whitewashing of Kansas City.

For that play, his second career punt return that he took back for a score, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Let's not forget that Edelman also played a bunch of snaps on defense (at cornerback/safety) as well, making a tackle in the win.

I wish I could be a honk and say that I knew Edelman had this type of performance in him but I can't. He's a marginal player that frankly is lucky to have a spot on this team. Especially considering his ahem legal troubles on Halloween.

Moving on, I don't know why I even bother keep track of this shit but safety Ross Ventrone was released last night (his 17th transaction this season, for all those living in your mom's basement). Today, offensive lineman Donald Thomas (who was released on Monday to make room for Ventrone) was resigned to the 53-man roster and cornerback Josh Victorian was resigned to the practice squad (taking Ventrone's place).

I'm pretty sure that Ventrone lives in Belichick's office, under his desk or something. It's the only possible explanation.

The most important news of the day was that left tackle Matt Light was seen walking around the Patriots locker room today without a boot or crutches. That comes after he left Monday's game with what looked like a serious ankle injury. He was in a boot afterwards when he talked to reporters.

If Light can't play on Sunday against the Eagles, expect man mountain rookie Nate Solder to take his starting spot.

UPDATE 11/24 Happy Thanksgiving!: Some Patriots-Eagles injury news happened today since both teams practiced on the holiday. Pats rookie linebacker Jeff Tarpinian went on IR with a shady illness/head injury. Niko Koutouvides figures to take Tarpinian's role on special teams and the occasional start.

With the roster spot open, New England resigned wide receiver Tiquan Underwood while cornerback Josh Victorian was released from the practice squad. You know who took Victorian's place? Well Ross Ventrone of course.

Without question, the biggest news of the day was that Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off from practice with a possibly serious knee injury. Philadelphia is already missing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle injury) so if Asomugha is also out, that means that Tom Brady and the Pats passing game could shred them on Sunday.

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