A knee injury cost UNC receiver Brandon Tate a spot in the first round of the NFL Draft but not with one of the best teams in the NFL.

The New England Patriots took Tate in the third round, 93rd overall, teaming him up with all-pro receiver Randy Moss and all-everything quarterback Tom Brady.

If reports by Fox Sports are correct, wide receivers Brandon Tate of North Carolina and Percy Harvin of Florida tested positive for marijuana use during the NFL Combine in February.

Whether or not there’s actual fire beneath that smoke, the impact on their draft status this weekend will be minimal if recent precedents are followed.

Here's the injury report for Saturday's ACC regular season finale between rivals Duke and North Carolina. Though he's listed as questionable, Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis is expected to play some.

DUKE

Out: RB Clifford Harris (arm); DE Wesley Oglesby (leg); S Matt Daniels (leg) -- OUT

Questionable: QB Thaddeus Lewis (foot); DE Ayanga Okpokowuruk (leg)

Probable: CB Jabari Marshall (leg)

NORTH CAROLINA

Out:  OL Kevin Bryant (wrist); OL Michael Dykes (knee); RB Anthony Elzy (shoulder), OL Zack Handerson (shoulder); LB Mark Paschal (neck); TE Zack Pianalto (leg); RB Devon Ramsay (shoulder); WR Brandon Tate (knee).

Questionable: WR Cooter Arnold (ankle); DB Charles Brown (ankle); WR Brooks Foster (knee); OL Aaron Stahl (shoulder).

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — North Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton was frustrated with himself after tossing two interceptions during Saturday’s 16-13 overtime loss to Virginia, saying “I feel like I let down our fans, the state of North Carolina, I feel like I let down the University, I really feel like I let down my teammates pretty good today.”

But the redshirt junior said he plans to take that frustration out on future defenses.

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate on Wednesday had successful surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee, coach Butch Davis said. 

"He came out with flying colors,'' Davis said. 

Staff video by Travis Long

If North Carolina is going to catch Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division, the Tar Heels are going to have to do it without Brandon Tate.

The senior playmaker will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, UNC announced Monday.

Tate injured his knee when he was tackled on a punt return (see video) in the first quarter of UNC's 29-24 win over Notre Dame. Mike Anello's tackle, a head-on collision with Tate's right knee, tore the ACL and MCL in Tate's knee.

Brandon Tate's mom, Lesley, said Sunday afternoon that the UNC receiver was "doing good in spirit" as he prepared to have a 5 p.m. MRI on his right knee.

Asked if he would contemplate moving tailback Greg Little back to wide receiver if Tate is out for any period, Davis said:

CHAPEL HILL — How many players does it take to replace North Carolina playmaker Brandon Tate? Saturday it took at least four. And if the senior wide receiver is out any length of time with an injured right knee, it could take more.

Tate, who began the weekend ranked third in the nation in all-purpose yardage, was helped to the locker room with 5:40 left in the first quarter after returning a punt 9 yards. He did not return to the sideline, and coach Butch Davis said after No. 22 UNC’s 29-24 victory over Notre Dame that Tate would have further tests on his sprained knee — including an MRI — today.

Staff photo by Robert Willett

• First Look photo gallery 

UNC used a new look to end an old losing streak.

The Tar Heels busted out swank dark blue pants for their trip to Rutgers and the Thursday night national stage on ESPN.

The Heels looked good in more ways than one. They trounced
Rutgers 44-12 for their first win outside the state of North Carolina since 2002.