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Injury update: Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley was placed on injured reserve due to torn biceps

The rookie joined the reserve list two weeks ago.

New England Patriots v Jacksonville Jaguars Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Three days after their loss against the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots decided to place linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve. The move was a surprising one at the time, as the fifth-round rookie did not obviously suffer an injury during his team’s 26-10 loss. However, ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss later reported that the 22-year old would not be a realistic candidate to return off the reserve list.

Now, we know why. According to Reiss’ Sunday Notes, Bentley suffered a torn biceps during the Patriots’ game in Detroit:

I’m told his injury, which occurred late in the team’s loss to the Lions on Sept. 23, is a torn biceps. He already has undergone surgery and has been around the team since, staying involved as he also focuses on his recovery and rehabilitation.

Bentley had a productive start to his pro career before getting placed on injured reserve. The fifth-round draft pick out of Purdue appeared in all three of New England’s games and was on the field for 138 of the Patriots’ defensive snaps (63.3%) as a rotational third/fourth linebacker and 46 (54.1%) on special teams. Overall, he registered 13 tackles and interception on defense and one stop in the kicking game.