New England Patriots prepared to lose Jerod Mayo for season

Despite beating the Buffalo Bills 37-22 Sunday, the New England Patriots’ focus was on the loss of linebacker Jerod Mayo and running back Stevan Ridley to injuries. Both could be out for the season.

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After getting caught up in the bottom of a pile after an Anthony Dixon run, Jerod Mayo was carted off the field with a knee injury in the second quarter.

His teammates surrounded him, showing support for the team captain. The loss hits the team hard, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

"Injured linebacker Jerod Mayo left Ralph Wilson Stadium with crutches and a compression sleeve over his right leg/knee, while running back Stevan Ridley had a cane and brace over his injured right knee. Both players appeared to sustain serious injuries, with teammates speaking after the game as if they had to prepare to be without them this season. A source said Ridley will undergo an MRI on Monday.Receiver Julian Edelman talked about how losing Mayo was like the team losing parts of its soul, while cornerback Darrelle Revis used the word “tragic” to sum up his feelings. Players relayed that Bill Belichick’s words to the team after the game were essentially this: “We won this one for Jerod Mayo and Stevan Ridley.”"

Mayo sat out most of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. His return, as well as the signing of cornerback Darrelle Revis, was supposed to elevate the Patriots’ defense this season. New England is already lacking depth at linebacker since Dont’a Hightower injured his left knee. Now the Patriots will face losing two starting linebackers for an extended period of time.

Rookie Deontae Skinner and Chris White filled in.

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