Patriots Linebacker Jerod Mayo Is Likely out for a Long Time, Possibly 6 Weeks

The New England Patriots may have won Sunday afternoon against the Oakland Raiders, 31-19, but the team did so without linebacker Jerod Mayo.

Mayo was helped off the field with an apparent left injury during the second quarter, and according to reports it's an MCL sprain and New England could be without him for up to six weeks. 

Not only is Mayo the team's starting linebacker and the team's best defender, he is the team's defensive signal caller; this injury is extremely devastating for the Patriots defensive unit. 

Mayo will definitely be missed as he was not only the team's leading tackler last season, but the NFL's leading tackler, as he tallied up an incredible 174 takedowns a year ago. So far this season, Mayo has recorded 23 tackles. 

With Mayo sidelined indefinitely, linebacker Gary Guyton stepped into Mayo's place as New England's "Mike" linebacker in their 4-3 defensive alignment. Guyton finished Sunday's game with three tackles.

Expect more news to come Monday when the team returns back to Foxborough. 

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