After the Patriots lost linebacker Jerod Mayo and running back Stevan Ridley to season-ending knee injuries Oct. 12 against the Buffallo Bills, it was reported that defensive end Chandler Jones likely would miss a month with a hip injury suffered during an Oct. 16 win over the New York Jets.
While the hope is Jones will return in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, a source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe on Saturday that the defensive lineman missing the rest of the season is a real possibility.
Jones, the most dominant pass-rusher on the Patriots’ roster, has 4 1/2 sacks through seven games. Defensive end Rob Ninkovich is second on the team with four sacks.
The Patriots and their banged-up defense will take the field Sunday at 1 p.m. against a Chicago Bears offense that has plenty of firepower.
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