FOXBORO -- It doesn't look like the Patriots will be getting Malcolm Mitchell back this season.
After practicing the last two weeks while being on injured reserve, Mitchell was not spotted at practice on Tuesday, which is an indication he will not be activated at all this season. He's missed the entire year with a knee injury.
Mitchell was the second of two players the Patriots designated to return off injured reserve this year. Shea McClellin was the first, but he suffered a setback when he began practicing in October. This means none of the Patriots players placed on injured reserve were able to return this year.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bill Belichick indicated Mitchell had a lot of ground to make up.
"Exactly. That's the way I would characterize it," he said.
This likely means Kenny Britt and Phillip Dorsett will be counted on more than first thought in the postseason.
Also missing from the session was running back Mike Gillislee, who hasn't been seen on the practice or game field since suffering an ankle injury against the Bills on Christmas Eve.
The first injury report of the week will be released last Tuesday afternoon.
