Jerod Mayo Announces New Patriots Captain After Ja’Whaun Bentley Injury

The injury to New England Patriots four-time captain Ja'Whaun Bentley has created a leadership void on the defensive side of the ball.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo thought it was important to fill that role by officially announcing a new captain: safety Kyle Dugger.

"I had a conversation with Bentley, obviously not being in the build every single day right now as he goes through the rehab process. But I did ask him, I said, 'To me, it's important that we still have leadership and representation for that side of the ball,'" Mayo told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, per a team-provided video.

"And when we did the vote for captains, and once again this is voted on by their peers, it was very close. It was very close."

Dugger joins eight-time captain David Andrews, three-time captain Deatrich Wise Jr. along with first-time captains Jacoby Brissett, Jabrill Peppers and Joe Cardona. It's also the first time Dugger has been named a captain.

Mayo credited Dugger for doing a "tremendous job" and said Dugger showed growth both on and off the field, highlighting Dugger's communication and development of teammates.

"He's meant a lot," Mayo said. "The first year he came in he was a physical player. Small-school guy so that's always a surprise and it can go either way. But what I will say is he brings that mentality, that physicality that you want on your defense."

Mayo said Bentley would be placed on injured reserve, but Mayo did not want to speculate on whether or not Bentley could return. Bentley, who led the Patriots in tackles each of the last three seasons, reportedly suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 2.

The Patriots sorely missed Bentley in their Week 3 loss to the New York Jets.

Now Dugger and the rest of the group will have a tough test against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon.