The early signs regarding Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork’s injury are good, but that doesn’t mean Wilfork is sure to play this week against the Ravens.
To help bolster their depth, the Patriots signed a massive insurance policy Monday in former Raider defensive tackle Terdell Sands, as first reported by ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss.
Sands is a 6'7'’, 335-pound run plugger that the Raiders once thought enough of to give a $4 million signing bonus. Sands’ subsequent level of play did not match his contract size and Sands was cut in September.
To make room on the roster, the Patriots cut linebacker Preston Prescott Burgess, acquired in a trade for a conditional draft pick from Baltimore a week ago. Since Burgess didn’t last long with the team, the Patriots will not give up a pick.
While the Patriots may lose Wilfork for a short time, linebacker Jerod Mayo appears to be making progress towards a return to the lineup.
Last seen on crutches, Mayo walked without a limp through the locker room Monday, according to Ian Rapaport of the Boston Herald. Mayo is recovering from a sprained MCL injury and his timetable to return to the team is unclear.