So why was Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo’s arm in a sling after Sunday’s win over the Saints?
According to Les Carpenter of Yahoo! Sports, Mayo has a torn pectoral muscle that could end his season.
Per Carpenter, Mayo had surgery on Tuesday. It’s unknown when he’ll be able to return.
Potentially complicating the situation could be the perception that the Patriots rushed tight end Rob Gronkowski back before he was ready.
There’s still no word on receiver Danny Amendola, who exited Sunday’s game with an apparent concussion. We reported after the game that cornerback Aqib Talib has a hip flexor strain, and that the injury is not believed to be serious.
If Mayo is done, he’ll join defensive tackle Vince Wilfork as a pair of key defensive players whom the Patriots have lost for the year.