Mayo has sprained MCL

No way is it a level 3 if he's going to be out just 6 weeks. No way... Why can't reporters just report facts.... I saw it on video and didn't think it was that bad... 3-4 week is my guess

Calling Derrick Brooks.

Wow, not season ending, but bad enough. The Pats really need him, and he needs to gel with the defense. Now he will be out during that process. I only hope the Pats can come up with something so they aren't so vulnerable in the middle for 6 weeks.

Stick a fork in this D-fence. Lets hope the Offence can start to really role.

Prediction: If Mayo needs to be out for six weeks, dont expect him back till the Miami game on Nov. 8th. BB will have him rest the extra week against the Bucs on Oct. 25th to take advantage of the extra Bye week and get him fully recovered for division game at home.

It "seems" like this defense would actually be pretty good if they could put Mayo, Crable and McKenzie on the field - but I am starting to wonder if that's ever going to happen.

Thank freaking goodness. We should still be able to put up enough points offensively to win games with Mayo on the mend. Heal fast Jerod!

Loosing Mayo, no matter the length, is going to be detrimental to this team. I just hope the second report is more accurate than the first predicting 6-8 weeks. Someone needs to step up big time to fill this void. Im praying for you Jerod, get well soon... seriously.

if he is out for 6 weeks, we can weather the storm. time to call derrick brooks, or ask junior to come play a few games for us until jerod gets back. they definitely need to add a linebacker, they looked pretty pathetic last night.

AAAAAAARGH!!!! At least Mayo will be back by midseason. Maybe the increased playing time will be good for some of the other LB's in the meantime in helping with their development. This will definitely be a tough blow to our defense though. Not sure if Guyton is the man to take over in the interim.

Still a tough loss for a shaky defense

A bad news/ good news scenario..we lose Mayo for a few weeks, but it's not season ending, nor will it slow him down once he heals. Dam those knee injuries.

Not looking forward to next week... not at all...

Hopefully I am wrong, but I understand that a grade III MCL sprain is a complete tear of the MCL. While I can imagine that an athlete can return in 6-8 weeks. I'm not sure how well Mayo can play with an unstable knee.

I wouldn't say "we now know" - you have two sources with conflicting information. He has a sprained MCL - he could very well be back for week 3 based on the level of severity.

Maximum drag.

Is losing a major player in the first quarter of the first game going to be an annual event? That's a tradition we can live without.

call me crazy, but i think we have seen many more injuries on this new field turf than we ever saw on grass. make like a hippy and bring the grass back.

I don't get it! What does this mean?

You quoted ""I don't think that is what it is," said Belichick. Now, we know."

Huh? Please explain!

Hey Chris, do you think Belichick is calling Seau back into the fold for a few weeks, at least to stop the run? Has that even come up as a question yet?

One Ringyyyyee Dingyeeee.....Ah, Teddy?.......................

OUCH. Jets are going to be a handful. Next 6-8 weeks are going to be a handful. Headline on NYPOST is "Jets Treating Game like Super Bowl" - also echoed by some Jet players.

oh no!

Heard Bruschi is coming back with Mayo dinged.

Wow, that's a big blow. Hopefully he's back sooner rather than later. Time for Guyton to step it up.

Good news...i guess.

Ugh. They better come up with answers at LB quickly.

Tedy Bruschi is just a shout away! And Junior, put the surfboard down, now!

Let's all say a prayer for a quick return to productive play for Jerod Mayo. I have been waiting for word about the injury all day.

Ok, so now what? Does this mean that maybe Bruschi comes back to captain this defense. I can't imagine that he's that far out of shape to play. Seau is out this early in the season. I'm not sure who on the roster can step in. It would have been Vrabel if he was still here.
The CB's looked good last night for a change. I think we are going to be ok at that position for a change. The real problem that this team needs to address is the OL. I was really disapointed with the protection of Brady last night, he's going to be hurt again if this keeps up and then we are dead in the water. What has happened to Matt Light? The guy looks like a turnstyle out there.

how's the seymour trade look now? this defense is in trouble!

Doesn't sound good. Grade 3 is a complete tear, and would require surgery.They're not going to rush him back. I hope Bruschi isn't getting too comfortable behind that desk!

And yes, I do think Bruschi is more reliable than any other LB that would be play inside after Thomas.

Ahhhrrrg, awful news.

well, we might know he's not out for the year but we really don't have a clue as to how long he'll be out. One source says 6-8 weeks the other source says "it's not that bad"............not to mention the fact that sometimes these "unnamed sources" are full of......well......this is a family blog

Grade III MCL sprains will keep platyers out for an average of 5 weeks.

ugh

Whew, thats a relief.

it's time to call JUNIOR SEAU !

Whether Mayo returns even in 4 weeks, we need to add an experienced ILB this week . Guyton can't handle the situation so soon. Especially with the Jets and their run first/run hard game looming (not to mention Atlanta and Baltimore)? Yikes.....

Junior Seau should be waiting by the phone.
Or Bruschi should reinstate himself until the bye week.

This is definitely a season-ending injury for Mayo. Another Patsie bites the dust. What a shame. Enjoy watching the Steelers win another championship, chumps!

For your information- a grade 3 tear is a complete tear of the ligament. Very doubtful Mayo had this as that would be the season for him.

A grade 3 sprain means a complete tear of the ligament- forget the 6-8 weeks out..it's goodbye season.

Sounds like a partial tear- grade 2, and a mild one at that.

We'll take this over an ACL any day. Rest up, Jerod, take care of PT and get back on the field as soon as possible!

Besides the fact that we need him to do well in the playoffs, he was on the cusp of big things and every young player deserves that chance to come into their own. I hope they don't rush him and they make sure he's 100% (or reasonably close) before he comes back.

Get well, Jerod

Get well soon #51

BB to Tedy: Sooo, what are you doing for the next 6-8 weeks. And, do you have Junior's cell number?

Hate it when I'm right. I called this exact scenario 2-3 weeks ago as they were letting everyone go. "I've seen this before: building the whole defense around Mayo works just great but what happens when he's out 6-8 games with a knee injury?"

Unfortunately, we're about to see...

Umm Seau time? We could really use those three games he has to offer.

Does anyone else find it alarming that last year we played a FOUR linebacker personnel setting and this year we can't even field THREE linebackers to start the game, let alone the depth in the area? They should just play a 5 man line this week or Nickle the entire time.

I'd rather see him take the full 8 weeks if it means that he's fully pain free with it and beyond significant risk of re-injuring it.

I'm sure the Patriots will adjust like they always have, although it's tough with two injured but recovering players occupying roster spots.