FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots are placing linebacker Shea McClellin on injured reserve on Monday, a league source tells ESPN's Field Yates.
The move was expected after McClellin, who is a key player in certain defensive packages and on special teams, missed most of the preseason with an undisclosed injury.
McClellin, who played in 14 games last season (four starts) for the team, is eligible to be a short-term IR candidate and return later in 2017.
The Patriots value the athleticism and versatility of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound McClellin, who entered the NFL as a first-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 2012.