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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have placed offensive midfielder Rex Burkhead and linebacker Ja & Whaun Bentley on the injured list, the team said on Wednesday.
In addition, the Patriots signed linebacker / defenseman John Simon, former Indian Colts Colts player.
Burkhead, who suffered a concussion after a first win against the Houston Texans, lost Sunday night against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter. The team reported that he had had a neck injury.
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Burkhead played seven times in the match and it was unclear when the injury occurred. His last game was on the return of the unit with the remaining time at 3:45 in the third quarter, when Charles Washington, the Lions goaltender, collided with him, and that Burkhead's head seemed to be pushed back for a moment.
Burkhead, who was a free agent, signed a $ 9.75 million three-year contract to return to the Patriots in the off-season.
Without Burkhead, Sony Michel's first-round pick becomes the best option for the second round, with James White filling the role of "repeller" and Kenjon Barner – who accepted conditions Tuesday to return to the team – adding the depth.
Burkhead had 86 yards in 24 races and three passes for 31 yards in the first three games of the season. He played 59 of 184 offensive strikes in three games, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels paired him with White in a two-run package to account for the receiver shortage.
Burkhead was also part of the pile protection / cover unit, as well as the return cover and kickoff units, so his absence also has a training effect on the special teams.
Bentley, a fifth-round pick from Purdue, had the biggest impact among the team's rookies. The confidence he gained from the coaching staff was reflected in the fact that he had the communication device in his Sunday helmet against the Lions, when he led the defensive group. He also had an interception in the game.
Bentley's last game was 4:52 in the fourth quarter, as he charged running back Kerryon Johnson and guard T.J. Lang landed on him. Bentley stayed for a while, apparently because of the Lang's strength of 315 pounds.
Bentley's 13 tackles tied for fifth on the team as he played 63.3% of the defensive shots while playing a role on the cover / throw and kick return units.
His absence is aimed at pushing third-year Elandon Roberts into a bigger defensive role alongside Dont's Hightower and Kyle Van Noy, though the Nicholas Grigsby special team could also be fighting for time.
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