Boston Herald Patriots beat writer Jeff Howe reported this afternoon fullback James Develin will be placed on season ending injured reserve after fracturing the tibia in his right leg Friday night in the third preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
In the fourth quarter, Develin got his right leg stuck in the field turf while being tackled to the ground after catching a completion from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He needed to be carted off the field in a stretcher and was unable to return to the game.
Howe originally reported Develin was expected to miss 6-8 weeks and could have been kept on the 53-man roster but the team felt the available roster spot was needed for an active player.