The New England Patriots are running some tests on special teams star Nate Ebner, but the initial prognosis is not good. Ebner left Sunday’s game with a knee injury after converting a first down on a fake punt, and now that injury is considered to be potentially season-ending.
While we hope that Ebner is okay and has a speedy recovery, the Patriots needed to find ways to cobble together a replacement plan for one of their core special teams players. Much like how Rob Gronkowski can’t be replaced one-for-one in the offense, Ebner has so many responsibilities on special teams that it took three players to take on his collective role.