Patriots Cornerback Marcellas Dial Out for Season Due to ACL Tear During Training Camp

In a setback for the New England Patriots, cornerback Marcellas Dial, a former South Carolina standout, sustained a torn ACL in his left knee during Monday's full-team practice. The injury led to Dial being carted off the field, and he is anticipated to be placed on season-ending injured reserve, as reported by ESPN's Mike Reiss and other local sources. Dial, drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (overall pick No. 180), impressed during his rookie training camp and earned a spot on the roster. Last season, he participated in all 17 regular-season games, with a start in Week 18, accumulating five tackles and seven special teams stops, totaling 12 tackles and a forced fumble. During the offseason, Dial was competing for the slot corner position alongside Marcus Jones and was expected to play a significant role on special teams in 2025. His journey to the NFL was unconventional. After attending Woodruff High School in South Carolina, he walked on at Georgia Military College, where he recorded 10 tackles and an interception before the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. As a three-star junior college recruit, he later transferred to South Carolina in 2021. At South...