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If that cover photo doesn’t sum up what the last couple weeks have felt like around here, I don’t know what does.
According to the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride, running back Rex Burkhead and rookie “maybe it’s OK to hope the future is bright on defense?” linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley are both being placed on Injured Reserve today.
BREAKING: The #Patriots will be putting RB Rex Burkhead (neck) and rookie LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (unknown) on IR today, per league source.
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 26, 2018
And of course, ESPN’s Patriots reporter and all-around class act Mike Reiss appears to have already dug up the tape on what happened to both guys. The Burkhead injury we could’ve seen coming, as he left the game early - the Bentley one, not so much. Here’s Burkhead’s last play from Sunday:
With @globejimmcbride reporting that the Patriots are placing RB Rex Burkhead on IR, a look at his final play Sunday night: On kickoff return (middle of screen), his head whips back a bit as Charles Washington gets his hands up near the face mask. pic.twitter.com/hBqeabbypb
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 26, 2018
And here’s Bentley’s:
With @globejimmcbride reporting that Patriots are placing LB Ja’Whaun Bentley on IR, a look at Bentley’s final play Sunday night: Guard T.J. Lang lands on him as he charges downhill to try to tackle Kerryon Johnson. pic.twitter.com/kTKnNIE6vf
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 26, 2018
We’ll keep this post updated if/when we get more information.
In the meantime, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, nobody say “What else could go wrong?”
UPDATE (sort of): Our old pal Evan reminds us that both players are eligible to come off of Injured Reserve after 8 weeks:
Both Burkhead and Bentley are eligible to return off of IR after 8 weeks. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 26, 2018
Two players can come back. The rules are they have to be on IR for at least 8 weeks and had to be on the Week 1 roster. #Patriots https://t.co/ifBJ6Qqg5q
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 26, 2018
If Bentley’s injury isn’t a season-ender, bringing him back is a no-brainer, as he’s apparently one of a few guys I can count on one hand that actually seem to be able to do anything on defense.