The banged up New England Patriots can add one more player to the list of the injured after Vince Wilfork tore his right Achilles in Sunday night's 30-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Wilfork was listed as probable with a foot injury before the game but ended up playing. Wilfork, a main piece to the Patriots defense against the run at defensive tackle, limped off the field during the Falcons first drive of the game with an ankle injury and was eventually taken via a cart to the locker room to be examined. He didn't return.
A video highlighting the game and injury can be seen here.
ESPN reports that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was seen talking to Wilfork's wife, Bianca, to tell her about the injury which was later reported to be an Achilles tear, which could sideline him for the rest of the season.
The Patriots have already been banged up on offense but still managed to win their first four games on the back of Tom Brady, but an injury blow to their defense doesn't help things. The team has been without running back Shane Vereen (wrist), tight end Rob Gronkowski (forearm and back) and wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin) on offense, and the loss of Wilfork at an already thin position could prove to be a lasting blow.
Brady has been playing with would-be second and third string receivers and has still managed to lead his team to victory four straight weeks. Brady has gone 93-for-158 (58.9%) for 1,014 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions so far this season without many of his weapons.
Through three games and a little bit of the team's fourth game against Atlanta, Wilfork had four tackles and five assists, but it looks like he may be done for the year with such a severe injury.
New England (4-0) leads the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins (3-0) close behind and set to attempt to tie the Patriot's record with a win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, while the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills sit at 2-2.
Wilfork is a Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowler and the Patriots defense will sorely miss him following this latest injury setback to an already injury riddled team.
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