Brandon Spikes was reportedly late for practice, making IR decision easier

The New England Patriots lost yet another defensive player for the season when linebacker Brandon Spikes tweaked his knee in a Week 17 win over the Buffalo Bills. Spikes, who had been hobbled for weeks, was placed on IR after the game. But on Saturday, a report indicated that Spikes was shut down for the season for disciplinary reasons in addition to his injury.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Spikes was late for New England’s bye week practice last Friday. That was apparently the “last straw” for the former Florida star after he had already been fined by head coach Bill Belichick for similar incidents. Spikes reportedly believed the things he did to irritate Belichick were easily explained, such as his car being stuck in the snow.

Help !! pic.twitter.com/7SDR0Ig16y

— brandon spikes (@BrandonSpikes55) January 3, 2014

Following the disagreement, Spikes and the Patriots apparently agreed to the IR designation.

Spikes will become a free agent after the season, so it seems likely that he has played his last game as a member of the Patriots. New England’s defense has had trouble stopping the run, and they could miss Spikes in the rain and wind against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.