Ken Schroy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Chandler Jones could miss a month with hip injury October 22, 2014 Chris Keane/AP The Patriots’ pass rush has been dealt a major blow just days before the team starts the toughest stretch of its season: according to a league source, defensive end Chandler Jones has a hip injury that will sideline him for about a month. Jones was not present at Tuesday’s practice. The third-year player has been one of New England’s best defensive players this season, and leads the team with 4½ sacks. Jones also had two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery – both of which came on a strip-sack of Buffalo’s Kyle Orton — and 26 tackles. He also blocked a field goal against the Vikings that he scooped up and returned for a touchdown. According to the website ProFootballFocus, Jones has 15 quarterback hurries in seven games. Over the coming weeks, the Patriots will face some high-level quarterbacks, starting on Sunday with the Bears’ Jay Cutler. A week later, Peyton Manning and the Broncos are in town. The Patriots will have their bye week after the Denver game, but then travel to Indianapolis to face Andrew Luck and the Colts. Without Jones, the pass rush will suffer, making it even tougher to defend against some of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Rob Ninkovich has four sacks, but three of those came against the Bills. To try to fill the void created by Jones’s extended absence, the Patriots reportedly traded for fourth-year linebacker Akeem Ayers Tuesday, acquiring him from Tennessee. Also, the team is signing free agent defensive lineman Alan Branch, according to a league source. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches, 255 pounds, Ayers was the 39th overall pick out of UCLA in 2011, and started all 16 games for the Titans as a rookie. In 2012, he recorded more than 100 tackles and six sacks in 16 games, though those numbers dipped last season as he dealt with a knee injuries. In the offseason, the 25-year old Ayers underwent surgery on both knees, having the patellar tendon in each repaired about six weeks apart. That, coupled with the Titans’ switch to a 3-4 defense, meant Ayers had played in just two games so far this year, with 10 total snaps on defense. He was credited with three tackles. The trade is contingent on Ayers passing a physical, a key aspect given his recent knee woes. Branch, a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2007, is listed at 6-6, 324 pounds. He spent four years with Arizona, then two with the Seahawks before signing with the Bills in 2013. He played in 16 games for the Bills, with 39 tackles, but did not have any other statistics. Buffalo released Branch in August, a day after the 29-year old was arrested for driving under the influence. http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/10/21/chandler-jones-could-miss-month-with-hip-injury/iocvANkGqQIX1xGYOHugCK/story.html# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Schroy Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Coming into a tough stretch of games. I guess they may be getting a little panicky, especially after the Jets torched them on the ground for over 200 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 worst 5-2 team ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 you mean akeem "inactive" ayers you mean akeem "healthy scratch" ayers you mean akeem "bust" ayers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bealeb319 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 my favorite part is how the second this trade is made tons of reporters and pats fans praise belichick for being a genius and granted they basically gave away nothing for this guy. we get harvin for what is to be atmost a 4th round pick even if he is only a 1 year rental and idzik gets bashed because percy harvin suddenly is no longer worth anything. its also funny how when the seahawks traded for harvin they gave away much more and everyone said he was going to help their team and it was a good move for them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 worst 5-2 team ever That's funny, and the Jets are the best 1-6 team ever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 That's funny, and the Jets are the best 1-6 team ever? No, the Jets are probably the worst 1-6 team ever before adding Percee P Harvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxgreen Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Of course he will play his guts out for them. The Patriot way and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Ayers was good early on his career and I liked him as a prospect. Seems to be struggling and hurt lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt39 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Chandler Jones is a good player....that's kind weird considering how bad the Pats drafts have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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