One of the key members of the Patriots’ defensive line rotation is headed to the injured reserve list, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. Curran reports (via Twitter) that the team is placing defensive tackle Dominique Easley on IR, ending his season.
Easley, 23, has been plagued by injuries since being selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. After recovering from an ankle injury, Easley went down with another leg injury on Sunday against the Texans, and it appears his latest ailment is a season-ender.
Easley’s numbers as a second-year player were modest – 15 tackles and two sacks – but he has been one of the Patriots’ more effective defensive linemen in his part-time role. Pro Football Focus ranks Easley 26th out of 128 qualified interior defenders this season, which easily places him first among New England players at the position.