So much for the bye week allowing the Patriots to get healthy.
With a big match-up looming this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts, the team reportedly suffered another blow after losing yet another important piece of their defense to injury.
According to ESPN Boston, the Patriots have placed linebacker Brandon Spikes on injured reserve, ending his season.
Spikes has been a role player for much of the season but has consistently brought an attitude and toughness on the defensive side of the football and has been one of New England's better players against the run. However, a recent report by Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe said that the linebacker has been playing through a ligament tear in his knee that would require surgery after the season, but it seems that he's not going to be able to continue battling his way through it.
It's tough to say whether or not we've seen the last of Spikes in a Patriots uniform. He's set to become a free agent after this season and there haven't been any reports of an extension being discussed between the two sides, but one would have to believe New England would be interested in retaining him if the dollars make sense.
For now it's just another personnel loss in a season that has seen their best inside players lost to injury in defensive linemen Tommy Kelly and Vince Wilfork, followed by Jerod Mayo, and now Spikes.
"It's pretty banged up, but this deep in the season, everybody's banged up," Spikes told Manza Young. "I've been able to deal with the pain and stuff like that.
"And when I'm out there, my adrenaline is pumping and the thrill of it, but it's part of the game. That's what makes this game so good, you've got to be able to play through pain."
It must have gotten worse, because his season is now over.
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