The New England Patriots defense has not waned much in his absence, but the return of linebacker Jerod Mayo will be good news for New England.
“Jerod is definitely getting better,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the media Monday. “We’ll see where he is when we get out on the field this week. He’s certainly making progress and it will be great to have him back out there whenever that happens.”
Obviously, Belichick isn’t guaranteeing Mayo’s return this weekend, but the head coach/defensive coordinator sure would like to have his three-time captain running the defense and making plays as soon as he’s capable of doing so.
The 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year has been everything Belichick had hoped for, if not more, since joining the team. He led the team in the tackles that year after being drafted 10th overall out of Tennessee, and led the league in tackles in 2010 with 175 — good for a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro team selection.
He missed a few games in his sophomore season due to an MCL sprain (in his right knee) suffered in a Week 1 game, but returned sooner than expected, much like he is expected to do this week.
Mayo, who was second on the team in tackles before his injury, was expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering another knee injury (this time to the left knee) vs. the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of this season, but has only missed two games and a handful of practices thus far. He has practiced with the team since late last week and is hopeful to return Sunday at Pittsburgh when New England takes on the Steelers at 4:15 p.m. at Heinz Field.
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