The New England Patriots will be without linebacker Raekwon McMillan for the upcoming season after he suffered a partial Achilles tendon tear in practice and has been placed on the Injured Reserve list by the franchise.

Backlash for the New England Patriots!

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan suffered a partial Achilles tendon tear during organized team activities (OTAs) this week and will miss the franchise’s 2023 NFL season.

The Patriots announced Thursday that the 27-year-old has been placed on the Injured Reserve list. The roster spot thus vacated was given to tight end Anthony Firkser.

Because the injury occurred in the offseason, McMillan cannot be activated by New England from the active roster next season.

The defensive player began last season for New England as a starter at inside linebacker and appeared in 16 games, recording 35 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.

Raekwon McMillan: Career overshadowed by injuries

McMillian was drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in 2017 and, after a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, has played for the Patriots since 2021, where he signed a new one-year contract in March.

However, his NFL career so far has been marked by serious injuries. Already in his rookie season, McMillan had to end the season prematurely due to a torn cruciate ligament suffered in his first preseason game.

And he also landed on the IR list early in the 2019 season due to hamstring problems. The linebacker then even missed his entire first season in New England due to another cruciate ligament tear.