 Most reports seem to indicate the outlook isn't good for Patriots running back Stevan Ridley. (USA TODAY Images) |
Coming off of a frustrating season 2014 was supposed to be a year of redemption for running back Stevan Ridley.
Unfortunately after Sunday's game in Buffalo, it appears it could potentially mark the end of his season and even his career in New England.
 Losing Ridley is a massive blow to New England's offense. (USA TODAY Images) |
Ridley went down with an apparent knee injury in Buffalo on Sunday, costing the Patriots their lead running back offensively and leaving them now scrambling to figure out a way to replace his production. Coming into the game he had carried the football 84 yards for 317 yards and two touchdowns, along with 15 first downs. Against the Bills he carried the football 10 times for 23 yards against a stingy run defense, but was still effective enough where Brady and the offense was able to have success.
However, once he went down, the drop off was significant when he came off the field with just over four minutes to go in the third quarter. Brandon Bolden carried six times for just 10 yards in Ridley's absence, which will likely have the coaching staff trying to figure out the best way to replace him if the injury is severe enough to threaten his season.
Judging by Ridley's reaction on the sideline, the outlook appears grim. He was visibly upset on the bench and had tears in his eyes, and ultimately left the field and went to the locker room. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston reported Ridley was spotted with a cane and was wearing a brace over his injured right knee as he left the stadium.
According to the NFL's Albert Breer, the team fears that Ridley suffered a torn ACL and he'll reportedly undergo an MRI on Monday.
It's bad news for Ridley, who was in a contract year coming into 2014 and the injury likely hurt his value on the open market. That could potentially be good news should the Patriots try and keep him around, but for now it's another setback for a player who was probably hoping to put his fumble troubles behind him and for the most part had been having a good season.
Fortunately he's battle tested, but it's a blow that will likely have an impact on an offense that had just seemed to finally be getting back on track after a rough start.
Belichick admitted that with all the problems they now have, they don't have much time to fix them before they face the Jets on Thursday.
"We're going to have to turn around quick," said Belichick. "Today is Wednesday. Tonight is Wednesday night. That's where we are in terms of a Sunday game. We obviously have a lot of catching up to do between now and Thursday night. It's always hard to play the Jets. They're a game planning team, they always have a lot of tough packages and a lot of good players. But we'll just have to turn it around quickly and get back to Foxborough and start grinding it out."
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