Patriots place Rex Burkhead and Ja'Whaun Bentley on IR

FOXBORO -- The Patriots weren't all that deep at running back or linebacker going into Wednesday. Both spots were thinned even further on Wednesday.

Both Rex Burkhead and Ja'Whaun Bentley are headed to injured reserve. Burkhead left Sunday's game with a neck injury after seven offensive snaps. Bentley's injury is unknown.

The news was first reported by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, and was confirmed by the Patriots shortly afterward.

Burkhead suffered a concussion against the Texans and was held out of practices following that Week 1 contest. He did, however, play in Week 2. It's difficult to know when Burkhead was injured against the Lions because he seemed to get through his final play of the game -- a kickoff following James White's touchdown in the third quarter -- without incident.

Burkhead did take a shove up high on the first punt of the game. He also landed hard on his back and appeared to hit his head on the Ford Field turf after catching a swing pass in the second quarter. Burkhead didn't appear injured after either play.

Bentley seemed healthy in the Patriots locker room following the loss to the Lions. He spoke to NBC Sports Boston's Tom Giles after the game and didn't indicate that he was dealing with any type of long-term health issue. Bentley played 57 of a possible 73 snaps against the Lions and recorded his first-career interception.

Both Burkhead and Bentley are eligible to return to the active roster. Players placed on IR during the season must remain on IR for six weeks before they can practice. They must spend eight weeks on IR before they can be activated to the roster and play in a game. That would mean that a Week 12 contest against the Jets would be Burkhead and Bentley's first opportunity to get back on the field.

Each team in the league can bring back two players off of IR. Should the Patriots activate corner Duke Dawson later this season -- placed on IR with a hamstring injury during Week 1 -- then the Patriots would be eligible to bring back only one of the two players they placed on IR Wednesday.

As replacements, the Patriots signed outside linebacker John Simon and running back Kenjon Barner. Simon has spent time with the Ravens, Colts and Texans. The Ohio State product has 13 career sacks in five seasons.

Let's block ads! (Why?)