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FOXBORO – The Patriots were not very strong at the return or the linebacker Wednesday. Both spots were further refined on Wednesday.
Rex Burkhead and Ja? Whaun Bentley are both heading for the injured reserve. Burkhead left Sunday's game with a neck injury after seven offensive slaps. Bentley's injury is unknown.
The news was first reported by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe and was confirmed by the Patriots soon after.
Burkhead suffered a concussion against the Texans and was kept out of practice after this game of Week 1. He played however during the second week. It's unclear whether Burkhead was injured against the Lions, as he seemed to have managed his last game – a send-off after James White's touchdown in the third quarter – without incident.
Burkhead took a leap forward in the first pitch of the match. He also landed hard on his back and seemed to hit the field on Ford Field after catching a swing pass in the second quarter. Burkhead did not seem hurt after one or the other game.
Bentley looked healthy in the Patriots' locker room after losing to the Lions. After the match, he spoke to Tom Giles of NBC Sports Boston and did not report that he had a long-term health problem. Bentley played 57 of 73 possible clicks against the Lions and recorded his interception in the first career.
Burkhead and Bentley are eligible to return to the active list. Players placed in IR during the season must stay on IR for six weeks before they can practice. They must spend eight weeks in IR before they can be activated on the list and play in a game. This would mean that a 12th week contest against the Jets would be the first opportunity for Burkhead and Bentley to return to the field.
Each team in the league can bring back two players from the IR. If the Patriots activated the Duke Dawson's corner later this season – placed on the IR with a hamstring injury in Week 1 – then the Patriots would be eligible to bring back only one of the two players they had placed Wednesday.
In replacement, the Patriots have signed linebacker John Simon and halfback Kenjon Barner. Simon spent time with Ravens, Colts and Texans. The Ohio State product has 13 career bags in five seasons.
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