FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – New England Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin expects to play again next year after fracturing his left hip, an injury that is less serious than initially feared.

“Right now I have some setbacks, some stepping stones in the way,” he said Tuesday in his first public comments since undergoing surgery Friday. “Once I get over that, I think I’ll be all right.”

New England was counting on Colvin to improve its pass rush after he led the Chicago Bears with 10sacks each of the last two seasons. He had one sack in each of the first two games this season before being hurt in the second quarter at Philadelphia on Sept. 14.

“This was not as critical as some reports were making it out,” said Kennard McGuire, his agent.

Colvin’s hip did not come out of the socket and blood flow to the area is good, McGuire said in a conference call with Colvin.

Speculation that Colvin might be hurt more seriously followed coach Bill Belichick’s news conference three days after the injury, when he said more tests were being done and he did not know the precise nature of the injury or how long Colvin would be out.

McGuire said he didn’t want the Patriots to publicly estimate how long Colvin would be sidelined because that might raise expectations that would not be met.

Colvin underwent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“It was exploratory in the beginning,” McGuire said. “Once they did do that, they did witness the fracture and that was taken care of.”

Colvin was placed on injured reserve Monday, meaning he’ll miss the rest of the season. He said he felt discomfort in his hip when he went to recover a fumble and does not think the injury was caused by a hit Eagles tackle Tra Thomas delivered.

“We do expect him to be suited up and playing next year,” McGuire said. “We look forward to the fact that he’s going to have a full recovery.”

The Patriots have been hit hard by injuries just three games into the season.

Offensive guard Mike Compton is on injured reserve with a broken foot, linebacker Ted Johnson is expected to miss six more weeks with a broken foot and nose tackle Ted Washington will be out at least two weeks with a broken leg.

Injured players who could play Sunday in Washington are linebacker Mike Vrabel (broken arm), cornerback Ty Law (sprained ankle), offensive tackle Adrian Klemm (bruises), wide receiver David Patten (knee injury) and fullback Fred McCrary (sprained knee).

Quarterback Tom Brady hurt his right elbow in the last two games but didn’t miss a play and is expected to face the Redskins.

AP-ES-09-23-03 1650EDT