With the word on the street that linebacker Jerod Mayo had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle yesterday, there was little point in them putting the clamps on people talking about his condition.
So this morning, they went ahead and announced the linebacker was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Coupled with the loss of Vince Wilfork, the Patriots have taken a pair of major hits in the middle of their defense. Mayo was their defensive signal caller, and on the field for practically every snap this year.
They signed defensive tackle Andre Neblett to fill his roster spot, but replacing Mayo in the lineup is a much tougher task.