Patriots suffer injury blow to key defensive weapon

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on the sideline during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are expected to be without one of the team’s best defenders for the rest of the season.

On Sunday, Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley suffered an upper-body injury during the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Bentley left the game early and was unable to return.

Bentley’s injury is said to be “worse than publicly known,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury is reportedly a torn pec that will likely keep Bentley out for the season.

It’s a huge blow for a Patriots defense that has received consistent production from Bentley over the past few years.

#Patriots standout LB Ja'Whaun Bentley’s injury is worse than publicly known, and sources says he’s out for the season with a torn pec.

Bentley had more than 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons and was on his way again. A brutal reality. pic.twitter.com/ysMGlNCwkR

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2024

Bentley led the Patriots with 348 combined tackles over his last three seasons. He has also been named a team captain since 2022.

With the Patriots’ top sack threat from last season already out due to a concerning blood clot issue, New England’s defense will truly be tested in the coming weeks.