Patriots send 1st-rounder Easley to IR

New England Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley's rookie season is over. The team will place Easley on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The Patriots selected Easley out of Flordia with the 29th overall pick in May's draft. Once considered a top-five pick, Easley slid down draft boards after twice tearing his ACL in college. 

Easley is still battling issues with his knees, prompting the Patriots' decision to shut him down prematurely. 

Easley's rookie campaign was always considered to be something of a redshirt year. He's a good candidate to become an impact player as a sophomore - provided he can stay healthy.