Patriots Place LB Brandon Spikes On Injured Reserve

The New England Patriots announce that LB Brandon Spikes has been placed on the season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury.

• The Boston Globe reported on Dec. 29 that Spikes will need surgery after the season.

Spikes, 26, battled a hobbled knee for a duration of the year, but was still able to play in all 16 regular season games. Spikes was still able to compile a very impressive 2013 season, despite the injury.

Requiring surgery on a damaged ligament may figure into contract negotiations for Spikes this offseason. Regardless, he was able to finish a complete regular season with Pro Bowl caliber numbers and should be in high-demand this offseason.

Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 6 qualifying inside linebacker this season and we have him currently listed as the No. 17 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.