With the news of the New England Patriots signing running back Ezekiel Elliott on Monday dominating headlines, another deal flew somewhat under the radar.
According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Patriots signed linebacker Raekwon McMillan to a one-year extension worth $2.245 million. As McMillan is already under contract through this season, this extension will take affect next year instead.
While McMillan is under contract with the Patriots this season, fans unfortunately won't see him on the field. In May, the 27-year-old linebacker suffered a partially-torn Achilles tendon that landed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Unfortunately, this marks the third time McMillan has missed an entire season with injury. The 2017 second-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign with the Miami Dolphins after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason opener. Then in 2021, his first year with the Patriots, he suffered another torn ACL during training camp.
In the four seasons he has played, two with the Dolphins, one with the Las Vegas Raiders and one with the Patriots, McMillan has started 33 of the 61 games he played, with most of those starts coming in Miami. Last season with the Patriots, the Ohio State product recorded 35 total tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack in 16 games, but only started once. McMillan's biggest highlight came in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he returned a fumble for a 23-yard touchdown that ended up being the game-winning score.
Now entering his seventh year in the NFL, McMillan is unfortunately sidelined once again with a major injury. However, the Patriots liking him enough to sign him to yet another extension has to be a good bit of encouragement.
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
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