Foxborough, MA

The New England Patriots placed linebacker Jerod Mayo on injured reserve Wednesday after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle a day before.

Mayo made six tackles before being injured in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 30-27 victory against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, and left Gillette Stadium with his right arm in a sling.

The injury ended Mayo's season.

"He does a lot for us, on the field, off the field. We're just going to have to move on," coach Bill Belichick said of his team captain who leads the team in tackles.

The six-year veteran also leads the team's defensive huddle, getting the play calls from the sideline and relaying them to teammates.

Mayo is a two-time Pro Bowler and was a 2010 first-team All-Pro selection who led the Patriots in tackles in each of his

first five seasons in the league. He has 55 tackles this season.

In the Patriots' base 4-3 defense, Mayo has mostly played the weak side, with Brandon Spikes in the middle and Dont'a

Hightower on the strong side.

The Patriots re-signed defensive tackle Andre Neblett, who had been released last week, to fill Mayo's roster spot.

Rookie Jamie Collins, the Patriots' top draft choice (52nd overall) is a leading candidate to step in for Mayo.

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Jerod Mayo Out for Season, Placed on Patriots injured reserve