Sources: Patriots lose RB Gibson to torn ACL

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Tests revealed that New England Patriots moving backmost Antonio Gibson tore his close ACL, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter connected Monday.

The wounded occurred aboriginal successful the 2nd 4th of the Patriots' 23-20 triumph implicit the Buffalo Bills erstwhile Gibson took a large deed connected a kickoff instrumentality and remained down. He instantly clutched his close knee, and erstwhile the squad rapidly ruled him retired for the remainder of the game, it foreshadowed the longer-range implications of the injury.

Gibson served arsenic 1 of the Patriots' apical kickoff returners (he had a 90-yard instrumentality for a touchdown successful Week 2) and the No. 3 enactment astatine moving back, down starter Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. His relation connected discourtesy was connected the cusp of being accrued owed to Stevenson's ball-security struggles.

Stevenson mislaid 2 fumbles successful a Week 3 decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and helium mislaid different fumble successful the archetypal 4th Sunday nighttime against the Bills. The Patriots turned much to Gibson instantly aft that, until helium injured his knee.

Stevenson's 3 mislaid fumbles are the astir successful the NFL among non-quarterbacks this season, according to ESPN Research. Carolina Panthers backmost Bryce Young besides has 3 mislaid fumbles.

Gibson, a six-year veteran, has played 16.6% of the violative snaps this season, totaling 25 carries for 106 yards and 1 touchdown. After Sunday's upset triumph implicit the Bills, helium stood astatine the entranceway of the team's locker country and was greeted by each player, galore of whom expressed interest with his injury.

After placing Gibson connected injured reserve, the Patriots volition request to adhd different moving backmost to their 53-man roster. Florida A&M's Terrell Jennings, who is connected their signifier squad, figures to beryllium among the considerations.

The Patriots (3-2) sojourn the Saints (1-4) connected Sunday.