Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported yesterday via Twitter that Patriots RT Sebastian Vollmer underwent surgery on Monday to repair a broken bone in his right leg.
With Tom Brady already on pace for a career high in sacks, Guregian writes that the Patriots will now have to move on without their second-highest-paid offensive lineman.
"The Patriots haven't placed Vollmer on injured reserve, but the significance of the injury obviously paints a bleak outlook on any chance for him to return this season," she adds.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston takes a look at the snap counts played by the Patriots skill-position players during Sunday's win over the Dolphins.
Recently acquired wide receiver Austin Collie played in 33-of-65 snaps on Sunday, but failed to record a catch.
"Austin Collie continues to work himself into the receiver mix, even though it was a quiet game for him on the stat sheet (no catches), as his 33 snaps were a season-high in the three games he's played (26 vs. Jets; 9 vs. Saints)," writes Reiss.
Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe reports the that Patriots have acquired defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga from the Philadelphia Eagles.
"According to the Eagles, they sent Sopoaga and a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft to the Patriots for a fifth-round pick," writes Whitmer. "Tuesday marks the NFL trading deadline; 4 p.m. was the cutoff time for teams to notify the league of any transactions."
Brian Billick of Fox Sports shares his Week 8 NFL Power Rankings.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach puts the Patriots at the #9 spot on his list.
"Tom Brady had season-lows in both completions and yards and posted a passer rating under 75 for the fourth straight game, but good teams find a way to win," adds Billick.
Josh Katzowitz of CBSSports.com shares his 2013 AFC East Midseason Report.
He calls Patriots CB Aqib Talib the team's MVP so far.
"The fact I was seriously considering putting journeyman linebacker Rob Ninkovich as the MVP tells you what you should know about the Patriots season (even though, Ninkovich is a very good player, and Talib, when he's been healthy, has been a standout)," writes Katzowitz. "Yes, the Patriots are 6-2 and they'll probably win the division. But if the team continues to play so shoddily -- at least, by their standards -- they'll be a quick postseason exit."
