Young linebacker did not return after early injury
September 15, 2009, 1:45 AM
By: Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH — Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not update the status of injured linebacker Jerod Mayo after Monday night’s 25-24 victory over the Bills, as players considered life without their defensive signal-caller.
Mayo injured his right knee on a 16-yard run by Fred Jackson in the first quarter. He walked off the field under his own power, and did not return after going to the locker room for further examination.
“You try to go out there and win the game for him,” said linebacker Adalius Thomas.
Second-year linebacker Gary Guyton filled in for Mayo — the 2008 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year — as the signal-caller.
The Patriots opened in a 3-4 defense with Mayo alongside Guyton in the middle. But after losing Mayo, who led the team in tackles last season, they mostly went to a four-man line.
“You just have to step up,” linebacker Pierre Woods said. “Everyone has to play.”