Aaron Patrick: Denver Broncos LB Aaron sues NFL, Chargers, ESPN over season-ending ACL tear

Aaron Patrick (Denver Broncos) LB sues NFL, Chargers, ESPN over season-ending ACL tear

Aaron Patrick sues NFL, Chargers, ESPN

After suffering a season-ending ACL injury during an NFL game, Aaron Patrick is suing for damages.

On Tuesday, the linebacker for the Denver Broncos filed a lawsuit naming the NFL, ESPN, and the Los Angeles Chargers as defendants, alleging negligence that contributed to the injury. In addition to the other defendants named in the complaint, others include SoFi Stadium, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, and the Roe mat business.

The incident happened during Denver’s away game against the Chargers on October 17. Patrick ran out of bounds at the conclusion of a play due to his momentum. He stepped on a rubber surface and fell after colliding with a sideline employee.

After falling and hurting his left knee, a season-ending ACL tear was discovered. His lawsuit cites a number of things, including the mat’s placement, as the cause of his harm.

Patrick would lose out on $370,000 in basic pay and $200,000-$400,000 in potential incentives, according to the lawsuit, and is suing for damages for “severe pain and suffering and emotional distress.” The Broncos and Patrick agreed to a one-year, $660,000 contract, which caps his compensation in the event that he is placed on injured reserve.

After signing with the Broncos as an undrafted rookie free agency in 2021, Patrick, 25, was in his second NFL season. He participated in 12 games, making one start. Before getting hurt in Week 6 of this season, he participated in five games. In his 17 career games, he has made 11 total tackles.

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The complaint filed by Patrick is not unique. Reggie Bush, a former running back for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a knee injury in 2015 against the St. Louis Rams after he tripped over concrete at the Edwards Jones Dome. In 2018, after he sued the Rams, a jury granted him $12.5 million in damages.