The New England Patriots suffered another personnel loss on Monday, when they announced placing fullback James Develin on their injured reserve list. Develin had already missed the team’s Week 3 game against the New York Jets because of a neck issue, and will now be out for at least an additional eight weeks before the team would be allowed to reactivate him — that is, of course, if his recovery is going well.
Develin’s loss does not only have an impact on the Patriots’ offense and kicking game units, though, but also on their locker room: the 31-year-old is one of the club’s most experienced and respected players, as he has proven himself a valuable piece of the team’s fabric both on the field and off it.