Colts 2019 7th-Round Pick Tears ACL During OTAs

Injuries during OTAs seem to hurt the most, and that's no exception for the Indianapolis Colts. It's always a shame when a player gets sidelined before the season starts, as while practice and training camp ailments are unavoidable, they definitely sting a bit more than in-game injuries.

According to head coach Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts seventh-round draft pick Javon Patterson tore his ACL during OTAs and is expected to miss the entirety of the 2019 season.

Patterson almost never missed a start throughout his career at Ole Miss. The Colts were intrigued by his durability and were hopeful the offensive guard could transition to center.

Instead, he'll have to spend his entire rookie season on the injured reserve list, and the team will have to wait until next year to see if the planned switch in positions proves to be successful. As a seventh-round pick, Patterson will have a ton to prove when he gets healthy.

The 21-year-old offensive lineman signed a four-year, $2.594 million contract with the team after they selected him with the 246th overall pick in the draft.

The Colts will now have to roll with Josh Andrews and Ryan Kelly at the center position as the beginning of training camp inches closer.

It's always heartbreaking to see young, promising rookies sidelined due to injuries sustained so far ahead of the NFL season, and now Patterson's focus will be for the 2020 campaign, rather than excelling as a rookie.