Report: Logan Mankins Suffers Sprained MCL, Hopes to Return for Playoffs

by Greg Knopping on Dec 27, 2011 2:18 PM EST in New England Patriots News

Logan Mankins sprained his MCL on Saturday and is now targeting a return for the playoffs.

According to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald, Patriots left guard Logan Mankins suffered a sprained MCL in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Dolphins on Saturday, and has an eye on a return for the playoffs:

Patriots guard Logan Mankins suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in Saturday's win over the Dolphins, I'm told by a source. The Pro Bowler will miss Sunday's regular season finale against the Bills, but he is targeting a return for the playoffs.

Mankins was hit in the left knee with a helmet on Saturday, which knocked him out of the game in the first quarter. He wanted to return, but when his knee stiffened up coach Bill Belichick wouldn't allow it. Mankins was wearing a small knee brace, which likely saved him from a more serious injury. He was in the process of putting on a larger brace when he was trying to get back into the game.

Obviously, this news isn't great, but it isn't terrible either. Mankins is a tough player, and I'm sure he will do everything in his power to return to the Patriots for their divisional playoff match-up.

In the mean time, the Patriots will be a little thin along the offensive line, depending upon the seriousness of the injury suffered to left tackle Matt Light. If Light isn't able to go Sunday against the Bills, the Patriots will likely be forced to start rookie Nate Solder at left tackle and Marcus Cannon at right tackle.

Guard/tackle Donald Thomas substituted for Mankins last week at left guard, and he is a leading candidate to start at that spot against the Bills on Sunday. The Patriots could also choose to start Dan Connolly at left guard and Ryan Wendell at center - Connolly played well at the left guard spot when Logan Mankins was a hold out in 2010.

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Seems like a recurring theme.

Mayo, Spikes, Hernandez, Mankins all have had sprained MCLs, but I suppose it’s not nearly as bad as it could be. We could be like Jacksonville with 20 people on IR. Luckily we have the bye so Mankins can rest all the better.

Hopefully Light’s ankle (it was his ankle, right?) isn’t that bad either. Light and Mankins are both tough as nails, so here’s hoping he heals wholly with haste.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Dec 27, 2011 3:07 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, Mayo and Hernandez returned quickly while it's taken Spikes 7 weeks

I’ve got to wonder if there’s something more serious there

by Greg Knopping on Dec 27, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Both Light and Mankins could start this week if it were the playoffs.

They’re just being cautious.

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by Richard Hill on Dec 27, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Light maybe, Mankins I'm not so sure

I suffered a torn LCL and spained MCL last year playing basketball in a summer rec league.

My leg got planted and I was down for a few minutes and I thought it was really serious. It was the last regular season game, and I realized if I didn’t put any side to side pressure on it, I could still run. I played five minutes in the next game (it was a double header) and even hit two shots, but then I planted on it again and it stiffened up and I couldn’t play.

I ended up getting it in a brace and was unable to walk without stiffness/pain for another 2-3 weeks even though initially I thought I could play through it (no surgery was required). Likely scenario with Mankins. Once those things stiffen up, they really hurt, even if you feel like you can play through them initially.

I doubt he would be ready to go Sunday no matter what, unless it was a really minor sprain.

by Greg Knopping on Dec 27, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Mankins is a tough sunnovagun...

…and was willing and able to go back into the game, but Belichick told him to sit. Rapoport talked to people who said that Mankins would be ready to play this week if needed. It looked like a minor tweak (nothing on the level of Spikes/other MCL injuries this season).

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by Richard Hill on Dec 27, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

I think what Greg means is that once it stiffens up it’s game over
When it first happened, Mankins was running on adrenalin etc. and could have kept going, but after the game it’d get worse

by quadruple option on Dec 27, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions