Report: No structural damage in Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount’s knee

An MRI exam on New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount’s right knee reportedly showed no structural damage.

An MRI exam on New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount’s right knee showed no structural damage, reports the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe.

Blount was seen running uphill sprints with the Patriots’ rehabbing players on Monday, but did not practice.

On Saturday, The Boston Globereported Blount sustained a sprained MCL in his right knee during practice. Blount is still expected to be ready for the start of the season, although he is suspended without pay for the first regular-season game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The Patriots open the regular season on Sept. 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Thursday night game.

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Blount began training camp on the non-football injury list after failing the team’s conditioning run at the beginning of camp. He began practicing on the third day of camp.

Blount, 28, signed with the Patriots last season after the Pittsburgh Steelers released him in November. Over 16 games last season, Blount rushed for 547 yards and five touchdowns. In five games with the Patriots, he gained 281 yards and three touchdowns.

- Mike Fiammetta