New England Patriots Injury Rumors: Dominique Easley Placed on IR
The New England Patriots are looking toward making it all the way to the Super Bowl this season, but the main obstacle to that goal is the fact that they've been consistently bugged by injuries. This time, defensive tackle Dominique Easley is the latest casualty after the team announced that he has been placed on the season-ending injured reserve. The cause: a serious thigh injury.
The former Florida standout, currently in his second year in the league, has produced 25 tackles and three sacks, which are quite low, based on what Bill Belichick and the rest of the Pats front office expected from him after getting drafted in the first round. But part of his lack of production is the recent emergence of rookie Malcom Brown.
Even if Easley isn't an established and solid contributor for New England, his injury will still put the team at a huge disadvantage considering that they have several players already in the injured list.
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This actually will be the second straight year that Easley will abruptly end his season on IR. He will be joined by the team's leading rusher, LeGarrette Blount, who injured his hip in their game last Sunday. Both Easley and Blount join 12 other Patriots regulars who have spent time on IR this season alone, most notably fullback James Develin, running back Dion Lewis, and left tackle Nate Solder.
Although he told reporters that he was feeling well, the team eventually made it official when the announcement was given, which also means that Easley will no longer see action in the final three games of the season as well as the postseason, which the Patriots are expected to qualify.
The 29th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft already suffered from two separate knee injuries in college, but that didn't stop the Patriots from drafting him.
