ATHENS — Malcolm Mitchell was off to a great start in his first NFL exhibition game with the New England Patriots when he suffered what looks like it could be a potentially serious arm injury.

Mitchell was trying to get up field and out of the grasp of Saints defensive back De’Vonte Harris when his left elbow dislocated as he tried to keep himself from going down. Mitchell already had four catches for 55 yards when he left the game in the second quarter.

It doesn’t appear like the injury will slow down Mitchell too long. He is expected to be sidelined only about four weeks, according to PatsNation.com.

Mitchell, who starred at Georgia during an injury-marred, five-year career, was a fourth-round draft pick for the Patriots. He had already created buzz in New England’s preseason camp before his productive first half on Thursday night. The Patriots led 17-16 at halftime.

Mitchell was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver as a senior last season with 865 yards finished his UGA career sixth on the all-time list with 2,350 receiving yards and 16 TDs.

He’s almost better known nowadays for founding the Read With Malcolm youth reading initiative and writing a children’s book before his senior season.

Following is a Vine of Mitchell’s injury: