Injury Update: Brandon Spikes "Week-to-Week" with Strained MCL

by Greg Knopping on Nov 7, 2011 6:36 PM EST in New England Patriots News

The news on Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes isn't good, but it's not all too bad either.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, MRI's on Spikes' knee have indicated that Spikes has suffered a strain to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and will be "week to week" with the injury.

Spikes initially hurt his knee while breaking up a 3rd down pass in the red zone yesterday against the Giants.

In recent weeks, Spikes has really stepped up his level of play, recording 44 tackles in seven games, leading the defensive huddle with Jerod Mayo out, consistently disrupting run plays, and even improving in coverage.

While we won't have the Patriots' first official practice participation report until Wednesday, if Spikes does miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets, it will certainly be a big blow for the Pats. Linebacker Jerod Mayo is just getting back into the groove following a knee injury of his own, and Spikes' replacement, Gary Guyton, suffered his own undisclosed injury late in the Giants game.

Should Spikes miss Sunday's game, expect the Jets to try to run the ball up the throat of the Patriots defense. Gary Guyton, or whoever does replace Spikes, simply can't disrupt running plays up the middle like Spikes does.

If there's a silver lining to this situation, it's that Spikes seems to have dodged the bullet in terms of suffering a severe injury. In a worst case scenario, I couldn't envision Spikes missing more than two games with this injury. Nonetheless, the sooner Spikes is back in the line-up, the better for New England.

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Spikes

I don’t remember already missing Mayo this much!

by richardlight86 on Nov 7, 2011 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Spikes is my favorite defensive player this year

He could improve on his coverage, but he’s excelling everywhere else and brings emotion to the defense. The Patriots defense used to be confident and emotional. Somewhere along the line – when all the vets left – that swagger left.

by iLikeStuff on Nov 7, 2011 7:08 PM EST reply actions

I agree

I don’t think that he is a superstar. However I believe that he is a really solid piece with a role and identity.

by Timberg193 on Nov 7, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

That is what we need. Instead of always trading down and getting JAGS, we need a superstar. Until then, nothing will

change. It’s increasingly apparent. But BB i feel, will never admit he is completely out of sorts with what to do with this team as GM and talent evaluater, and we continue to suffer because of it. Just hire a true D coordinator already!

In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Nov 7, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

All of our LB's outside of Guyton could. It just sucks that our best coverage LB, is our worst run stopping LB as well.

He could improve on his coverage

In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Nov 7, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

Even Guyton has been shaky this year. I actually think that Spikes has performed very well in coverage the last three weeks

by Greg Knopping on Nov 7, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

I recall against Fasano i think it was in week 1 he was indeed shaky.

In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Nov 7, 2011 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

so basically

he is back to where he was last year before he screwed up

by Oughat on Nov 8, 2011 12:44 AM EST up reply actions

Off topic

From 2003 to 2008 we’ve only kept like 15% of our drafted players. That’s 6 draft classes almost wasted!

by richardlight86 on Nov 7, 2011 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Kinda hard to stick to a super bowl team

just sayin

by Oughat on Nov 8, 2011 12:45 AM EST up reply actions

sorry i lied

3.6% retention rate.

by richardlight86 on Nov 7, 2011 7:19 PM EST reply actions

That really sucks to lose a player for any amount of time.

I hope it isn’t too bad for you guys, I mean I hope he comes back soon for you. I’ve watched a game or two and I do agree with the sentiments Greg

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Nov 7, 2011 8:20 PM EST reply actions

Thanks, how are you guys doing healthwise?

by furiousd on Nov 7, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Not that it really matters but as far as terminology goes

If it’s an MCL injury, it would be a sprain not a strain. Strains are injuries to muscles, while sprains are ligament injuries.

by indy pats fan on Nov 7, 2011 9:32 PM EST reply actions

I hope he's back soon

Spikes is one of my favorite plays so far this season, probably my favorite on defense. He was making a real impact the past few weeks, and we definitely need that at this point.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Nov 7, 2011 10:04 PM EST reply actions

a month ago people were calling him a draft bust

It's your thing, do what you wanna do, I can't tell you, who to sock it to. The Isley Brothers

by sweetjesusihatethejets on Nov 8, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions

just a little jargon but you sPrain ligaments and sTrain muscles and tendons. the L in MCL is ligament

by i luv this site on Nov 8, 2011 1:07 AM EST reply actions

Beat ya to it :P

by indy pats fan on Nov 8, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

I think Arrington is one of the most improved Patriots from last year. He was targeted 11 times and defended 7 in last game. If he can just take that next step and track the passes better, he could turn out to be a very solid complete CB ready to contend for superbowl. Even though Arrington got torched on a TD, he’s coming along fine especially given that it is his second year.

by prioris on Nov 8, 2011 4:52 AM EST reply actions