New England Patriots standout linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley's (pectoral) injury is worse than publicly known, and sources are saying that he's out for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. It's a big blow for an underrated Patriots defense, as Bentley recorded 100-plus tackles in each of the last three seasons for the team with 8.5 sacks as well. He initially left the Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with what they were calling a left-shoulder injury. The injury comes early in 2024 after Bentley signed a new two-year contract extension. The Patriots defense/special teams unit is still worth a look as a streaming option this Thursday night against the division-rival New York Jets, but Bentley can obviously be dropped now in any single-year IDP formats with him out the rest of the 2024 season.
New England Patriots linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley (shoulder) and Oshane Ximines (knee) have been downgraded to out for the remainder of Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Both are impact players in New England's defense. However, neither player had registered a tackle at the time of their respective departures. Joshua Uche and Raekwon McMillan figure to earn more opportunities with two key linebackers sidelined.
Ja'Whaun Bentley Inactive For Week 10 Versus Colts
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (hamstring) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany. He was limited in practice all week long and listed as questionable. However, it had seemed like he was trending toward playing, so this news comes as a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, Bentley will sit out this overseas contest, putting Mack Wilson Sr. in line to earn more snaps.
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (hamstring) didn't return to the Week 8 matchup with the Miami Dolphins. The 27-year-old had a team-high 49 total tackles entering Sunday's contest, so New England certainly hopes the hamstring injury doesn't keep him out in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders. That said, Bentley will likely appear on the injury report throughout the week, so IDP managers should plan accordingly.
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, who recently signed a two-year contract extension that includes $9 million guaranteed, ranks second among 89 linebackers with a 39.5 percent run-stop win rate since 2018, according to ESPN analytics. His production in coverage, which was viewed as a weakness when he entered the NFL, has steadily evolved. According to NFL NextGen Stats, 55 linebackers were targeted 30-plus time in coverage last year, and Bentley ranked eighth-best in allowing 5.4 yards per target. The 26-year-old had a team-high 125 tackles in 2022 and also secured three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 17 games. The former fifth-rounder should garner attention in deeper IDP fantasy formats in 2023.
Patriots Sign Ja'Whaun Bentley To Two-Year Extension
The New England Patriots agreed to a two-year, $18.75 maximum extension on Thursday with linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, according to sources. The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed. Bentley earned the extension by recording a team-high 125 tackles (62 solo), career-high three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 17 games for the Patriots in his fifth season with the team. The 26-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2018 out of Purdue has more than solidified his spot as one of the team's starting inside linebackers moving forward. As long as Bentley stays healthy in 2023, he should be on the radar of fantasy managers in deeper IDP formats.
The New England Patriots agreed to re-sign linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley on a two-year deal worth a maximum of $9 million on Friday, according to a source. Bentley was the team's leading tackler last season with 109 (68 solo), and he also had five tackles for loss, five QB hits, three forced fumbles and one sack in 16 starts in his fourth year in New England. The 25-year-old suffered an arm injury in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he's expected to be fine for offseason workouts this spring. Bentley was a fifth-round pick by New England in 2018 out of Purdue, and he also had a solid 91 total tackles (50 solo), three tackles for loss, three QB hits and 1.5 sacks in 13 starts in 2020. It's a big addition to the Patriots defense for the next two years.
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of Saturday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. The 25-year-old exited Saturday's game early with an ankle injury won't return. He didn't record a stat before leaving. Entering Saturday's game, Bentley was leading the Patriots in tackles. The Purdue product racked up 81 tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles over 12 games in 2021. Jamie Collins should see an uptick in snaps while Bentley is sidelined.
