The New England Patriots could be forced to start their season without guard Logan Mankins. The Pro Bowl guard had surgery to repair a torn ACL, an injury he played with during the Super Bowl this year, which could keep him out of action into November, says James Walker of ESPN. He would start the season on the PUP list under those circumstances.

There had been some belief that Makins could be ready to go in time for training camp. For their part, the Patriots are keeping mum on the entire situation, as is tradition for head coach Bill Belichick.

New England did sign veteran guard Robert Gallery during the offseason. He could be a suitable fill-in while Mankins is on the shelf. Gallery, 31, started last season in Seattle, but missed four games early in the season with a knee injury.

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