After suffering a shoulder injury, the New England Patriots have place linebacker Jerod Mayo on injured reserve.
The New England Patriots are gearing up for the AFC Championship with another trip to the Super Bowl on the line against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. When they visit Denver on Sunday, they will be without linebacker Jerod Mayo.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are placing linebacker Jerod Mayo on injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The #Patriots are placing LB Jerod Mayo on Injured Reserve, source said. His season is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2016
By being placed on injured reserve, Mayo’s season is over. If the Patriots advance to Super Bowl 50, they will be without one of the consistent mainstays in their defense. Mayo is in his eighth season with the Patriots, after the team drafted him in the first round back in 2008.
His numbers this season didn’t really jump off the page with just 47 tackles, but his veteran leadership inside is something that can’t be replaced on defense. The Patriots have had to deal with a variety of struggles this season with injuries and they’re trying to get through this week against Denver with a win and players staying healthy.
The last time these two teams met this season, the Broncos came away with a big win at home late. The Patriots are looking to avenge their loss and move on for a chance to compete for another Super Bowl.
They just won’t have Mayo on the field when they attempt to do so.