Patriots outside linebacker Adalius Thomas' arm injury -- which knocked him out of Sunday's win over the Bills in the second quarter -- will require surgery and he is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to an NFL source. The Patriots have not yet officially placed Thomas on season-ending injured reserve.
ESPN.com reported earlier that Thomas broke his left forearm.
Thomas's loss for an extended period will be a significant setback for the Patriots, who already are playing without safety Rodney Harrison (out for the season with a torn quad) on defense.
Asked how the Patriots have been successful plugging injury-based holes in the past, linebacker Mike Vrabel said: "We talk about it all the time. Our focus has to be on the Jets. We're going to have 11 guys out there. Unfortunately, AD is not going to be there this week."
Cornerback Ellis Hobbs touched on how significant it is to lose a player of Thomas's caliber.
"It's extremely tough," he said. "Any time you lose a player, especially an impact player like him, it hurts. But he'll tell you himself, the machine can't stop. It has to continue to roll."
Pierre Woods, a third-year pro from Michigan, took over for Thomas on Sunday and likely will get his first pro start against the Jets.
"It's definitely an opportunity," said Woods, who has played 33 games since the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent. "So just go out there and do my job and I think I'll be fine."
With the Patriots probably looking at life without Thomas for the rest of the season, here is a look at the void that is created in some of the team’s various defensive packages and who might step in:
3-4 defense: Thomas has lined up at outside linebacker, where he is sometimes used as a fourth or fifth rusher while also finding himself in coverage at times. Third-year player Pierre Woods, who played just 13 percent of the snaps in the season’s first eight games, projects to fill that role. 4-3 defense: When the Patriots bring on an extra defensive lineman (often Jarvis Green) in place of a linebacker, Thomas usually moves off the line of scrimmage. In Sunday’s game, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel were the other linebackers in that package, so Woods and rookies Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton would be three other options. Nickel & dime packages: Thomas has been an integral part of 3-3-5, 4-2-5, or 2-4-5 nickel packages, as well as all dime packages, his combination of size and speed helping the team stay strong in the box against the run while not losing much in the footrace downfield in the passing game. Now Mike Vrabel (who often comes off in the 4-2-5) and Jerod Mayo (who sometimes comes off in the 3-3-5) will probably be asked to do more, with Tedy Bruschi and Gary Guyton also potentially seeing expanded duties. Leading the huddle: Thomas is one of the two defenders with the communication device in his helmet this season, leading the huddle. Because he plays more snaps than any other defender – 99 percent leading into Sunday’s game – he's a natural choice for that role. Mike Vrabel, who has also led the huddle this year at times, would be a likely candidate to take over. Special teams: Thomas has a limited role on special teams, playing only on the punt team when the Patriots are backed up deep in their own territory. Special teams coach Brad Seely would have to shuffle his personnel, weighing the risk of using Mike Vrabel in that role. Another trickle-down effect – with Vrabel potentially being asked to do a bit more on defense – is if the Patriots will continue to use Vrabel as a third tight end on offense. Other personnel thoughts: The Patriots’ answers would likely come from within, with each linebacker asked to pull a little more of the rope, similar to last season when Rosevelt Colvin (foot) was injured and Junior Seau went from part-time player to full-time player. Rookie Vince Redd, a free agent who is on the practice squad, will probably see his practice reps increase. Fellow rookie Shawn Crable (shin) is not an option because he is on season-ending injured reserve. In terms of veteran free-agent help, Colvin is available and knows the system. He could add another layer of depth if the Patriots choose to add from the outside.The Associated Press and Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
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