For 2022, Malcolm Butler can no longer visit New England. The cornerback, who won Super Bowl XLIX, was put on injured reserve by the New England Patriots on Tuesday, thus ending his 2022 campaign. Also placed on injured reserve by New England was cornerback Joejuan Williams, who had a shoulder ailment.
Butler’s injury was not made public, but he did miss the Patriots’ last two practices before going on injured reserve. Butler participated in the preseason for New England and saw the field for a total of 22 times. Prior to Tuesday’s revelation, he was ranked below Jalen Mills on the team’s unofficial depth chart.
Butler returned to the NFL and to the Patriots at the same time. The cornerback left his position with the Arizona Cardinals at the end of August of last year for personal reasons before coming out of retirement in March to accept a two-year contract with New England. It’s reasonable to question if Butler’s NFL career will continue after this at 32 years old. About the injuries or his future with the team, there has been no formal announcement made.
