These contained in the New England Patriots locker room know the function Ja’Whaun Bentley performed — the a number of roles.
Bentley, who reportedly suffered a season-ending pec harm, is a workforce captain, was the workforce’s main tackler every of the final three seasons and served as a key communicator as he relayed defensive alerts within the huddle.
He will not be straightforward to interchange, and Patriots gamers comprehend it.
“It is robust,” linebacker Raekwon McMillan instructed reporters, per MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “He is our workforce captain. He is our workforce chief. Every thing we do within the linebacker room flows round Bent. He is our man on protection. He is been the man for the final two or three years. He is the voice of the workforce.”
Story continues under commercial
Joshua Uche instructed reporters: “He is an enormous vocal a part of what we do right here. It positively hurts.”
extra nfl
Patriots Have Distinctive Candidate To Change Ja’Whaun Bentley
3 Min Learn
Patriots Ought to Take Swing On Former All-Professional Linebacker
4 Min Learn
Jahlani Tavai and McMillan now headline New England’s linebacker depth chart with Christian Elliss and Curtis Jacobs additionally on the 53-man roster. McMillan, particularly, noticed an inflow of snaps towards the Seattle Seahawks after Bentley’s exit and figures to be a first-rate candidate for extra enjoying time.
Security Kyle Dugger took over the communication for Bentley and was praised by head coach Jerod Mayo for his capability to relay the alerts. There is a sturdy likelihood Dugger stays in that function.
“Whoever’s on the market, we simply have to verify the communication from the entrance finish to the again finish is on level,” Tavai instructed reporters, per MassLive. “We’re not nervous about it. It simply sucks shedding a teammate.”
Story continues under commercial
There’s additionally the possibility the Patriots complement the void of Bentley by giving Dugger extra snaps within the field and make tweaks to the again finish of their secondary. Dugger, nonetheless, has not fared as effectively towards the run because the big-bodied Bentley.
New England should overcome the harm on a brief week with the Patriots touring to the New York Jets on Thursday evening.
