Sportsnaut
The Patriots have been busy at work over the last few weeks, and training camp is already almost over. The team is preparing for the first preseason game later this week, and it feels like we’ve learned quite a bit about the roster so far.
Training camp has been fun to watch, but there’s one part of camp that’s never fun- injuries. Unfortunately, injuries are an unpreventable part of the game, and the Patriots received some bad news on that front Tuesday.
During Monday’s practice, cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. went down with an injury and was carted off the field. The injury was described as “potentially significant” at the time, and we now know it’s indeed a worst-case scenario for Dial.
Per ESPN’s Mike Riess, Dial suffered a torn ACL.
Filed to ESPN: Patriots CB Marcellas Dial Jr., who was carted off the field Monday, tore his ACL, per league sources.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 5, 2025
This is a brutal blow for the Patriots and a tough break for Dial. The corner was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Dial appeared in all 17 games for the Patriots, contributing mostly on special teams. Dial played 60 defensive snaps last season and collected 12 tackles and one forced fumble.
This summer, Dial was competing for a depth spot in a revamped corner room for the Patriots. Dial had even received some first-team snaps at camp due to Carlton Davis II and Christian Gonzalez missing time due to injury.
One has to be concerned with the depth at the corner spot now for the Patriots. Gonzalez has missed camp time with a lower-body injury, and Davis has missed due to an unspecified ailment. Both are expected to be ready for Week 1, but any additional injuries could put this unit in questionable shape.
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