Rookie McKenzie Out for the Year

Tyrone McKenzie, one of the New England Patriots’ two third round selections (No. 97 overall) from the ‘09 NFL Draft, has ended his rookie season before it ever really got started. The linebacker fresh out of South Florida suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Patriots’ minicamp last weekend, likely putting him out for his entire rookie season. McKenzie’s injury came during the first of two practices last Saturday, when his feet got tangled up with another running back’s feet and both players fell.

McKenzie, a 23-year-old linebacker who played for Michigan State, Iowa State and South Florida during his collegiate career, was drafted by the Patriots to play at inside linebacker alongside veterans Tedy Bruschi and Gary Guyton. The rookie’s injury could mean that the Patriots will need to stretch outside linebacker Adalius Thomas inside for certain defensive plays.

Tyrone McKenzie’s injury is slightly ironic in that now both of the Patriots’ third-round picks from the recent draft have ACL issues. The other third-round pick, WR Brandon Tate from North Carolina, is still recovering from surgery in October resulting from having suffered an ACL injury in his right knee.

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