FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Linebacker Shea McClellin was eligible to return to the New England Patriots' 53-man roster this week after being designated to return from injured reserve on Oct. 18, but that won't be happening. Instead, barring an unexpected turn of events in the next 24 hours, McClellin's season will be over after suffering a setback after having returned to practice the last two weeks.
Here is why that is the case, per the NFL's rules:
1. Once a player returns to practice, as McClellin did on Oct. 18, there is a 21-day window for him to be activated.