Chris Bell Suffers Clean ACL Tear

[manxman2601]

Sorry Mayo. I thought this warranted a thread of it’s own considering how we think about him on this forum.



Doing a quick google search, a 6-12 month recovery. Terrible news that will likely impact his draft stock.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

At the very least we won’t be getting any testing data from at the combine or pro-day.

It should also be noted that he’s a senior although I’m sure he’d get a medical exemption to return to school for a 5th year if that’s what he chooses to do.

 

[manxman2601]

Draft him day 3, stick him on IR and get a free starting WR in ‘27 when we need to replace Diggs, Hollins and maybe Boutte.

 

[maust]

Draft him day 3, stick him on IR...

Unfortunately that's probably exactly what one of the plethora of teams drafting in front of the Pats in the third will do.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just saw this.

I had noticed Bell's production had dropped off towards the end of the season, now we know why.

Tough kid, like him just as much long term. Sad for him, but he will bounce back.

Will see what happens, but would love to get him if he slips. Still a long shot.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I had noticed Bell's production had dropped off towards the end of the season, now we know why.

Do you mean Bell was playing with an ACL tear so his production dropped off?

 

[manxman2601]

Unfortunately that's probably exactly what one of the plethora of teams drafting in front of the Pats in the third will do.

That did occur to me too.

 

[manxman2601]

Do you mean Bell was playing with an ACL tear so his production dropped off?

Nothing quite so heroic sadly but even more tragic. The SMU game in which he got injured was the last game of the season.

 

[stelfans]

That’s terrible news, poor kid. But maybe good news for us.

 

[Dec54]

Just saw this.

I had noticed Bell's production had dropped off towards the end of the season, now we know why.

Tough kid, like him just as much long term. Sad for him, but he will bounce back.

Will see what happens, but would love to get him if he slips. Still a long shot.

He was my top pick this coming draft. Would be a good move to pick him up 3rd round or so. Such a shame for the young man, but I'm sure he will get though this.

 

[mayoclinic]

Do you mean Bell was playing with an ACL tear so his production dropped off?

My initial post was a middle of the night brain fog, thinking the SMU game was earlier. It was the 2nd to last game.

I did notice that Bell's production dropped off after the Miami game, wondered if he was banged up or just if teams were keying on him.

After his streak if monster games, after Miami Bell got 49, 56, 49, 79 and 49 yards against BC, VT, Cal, Clemson, and SMU, then did not play against Kentucky in the final game, which now makes complete sense. Not unproductive, but not like his previous performance.

No, despite my brain fog, I'm not suggesting that. Not sure if he was already banged up, but this sounds like a clean tear.

 

[mayoclinic]

I had pretty much given up on Bell as being out of range, and didn't want to go WR in round 1, but I'll probably be holding a spot for him between rounds 3 and 4 in mocks. Obviously other teams could swoop in, but he will probably not go 1st round, and there's a good chance he could last to round 3. I think he's a 1st round talent and a perfect fit, so I'd be willing to wait till 2027 to see him take over the X.

My ideal draft at this point would be OL and EDGE in the first 2 rounds, then some combination of Bell, DB, LB and OL with the next 4 picks.

 

[manxman2601]

We’re in an ideal position to IR him for a year with vacancies opening up at WR in ‘27. And if he recovers during the regular season, he can be used to cover any WR injuries although he likely wouldn’t have much practice time.

 

[PatsFan2]

I wouldn't touch Him until the Fourth Round knowing he will be a IR candidate. The Team that pulls the trigger earlier is gutsy.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Team that pulls the trigger earlier is smart.

Fixed it for you.

3rd round, though he will be gone before then.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

It takes a year to learn McDaniel's offense so Bell can run routes at near full speed as he heals in 2026 and replace Hollins in 2027. Look at Williams, he is just starting to get it. Drake says he and Williams still have a long way to go after one season. Henderson still does not get the offensive system completely. Missing Y1 for a new WR in our offensive system is not a big deal. The Pats will have to take risks to get an All-Pro player when you are drafting at the end of each round. No more easy drunk monkey top 5 picks for the Pats for years to come.