Report: Mankins Had Knee Surgery

An ESPN report indicated that Patriots offensive guard Logan Mankins suffered a torn ACL which required surgery to repair.

All Pro lineman Logan Mankins of the New England Patriots had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his knee shortly after the Super Bowl, according to ESPN.  The surgery was required to repair Mankins’ ACL.

Knowing that the recovery time from an injury like Mankins is significant and could last well into the offseason, even the regular season, the Patriots signed offensive guard Robert Gallery. The move to add Gallery is likely just one piece in the offensive line shuffle. Right guard Brian Waters is considering retirement and could leave a hole opposite Mankins on the line.

Mankins was hurt in a Dec. 24 win over the Miami Dolphins, and missed the season finale. He played throughout the playoffs.  As noted by the ESPN report, the Dolphins game is the only one Mankins has missed in his entire career.

Selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft (32nd overall), the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Fresno State product has been extremely reliable. The California native has been selected to Pro Bowls in 2007, 2009-11. Mankins is also a three time All Pro selection by the AP.

The Patriots have been to a number of college Pro Days with top rated offensive linemen.  It’s possible they could select a guard in April’s  2012 NFL Draft. New England is loaded with firepower to make moves in the Draft with 4 picks in the first two rounds.

Training camp opens in July. We will have a better idea of where Mankins is at then, but expect the Patriots to make more roster moves at the position just in case.

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