Broncos LB Aaron Patrick tears ACL in freak collision

Denver Broncos linebacker Aaron Patrick suffered a major injury in Monday night's final game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Patrick tried to tackle punt returner DeAndre Carter, but went through it. In his momentum, he found himself off the field and collided with a media member on the sideline. The linebacker also pounded on a carpet that hides electrical wires. His cleat got stuck, resulting in injury. 

Medical results show that he suffered a torn ACL, ending his season. 

This is not the first case in recent years of a player colliding with someone on the sidelines. For example, Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram injured his shoulder and collarbone when he crashed into a TV van in 2020. Patrick's agent, Lamont Smith, told Pelissero he is very worried about the situation and that a major injury is the result of a simple carpet, certainly a problem to review.

“I was very disturbed about the way the injury occurred with the carpet being on the sideline like that. His cleat got lodged in the carpet trying to avoid the media person.”

-Lamont Smith

The Broncos are now down to five injured players who have torn ligaments and they haven't played half of the season yet.