Patriots Place DT Vince Wilfork On Injured Reserve, Release TE Zach Sudfeld

Update:

• The Pats also released TE Zach Sudfeld on Thursday as well.

Sudfeld, 24, signed on with New England as a rookie free agent out of Nevada. There was quite a bit of buzz surrounding him during training camp, but he was largely disappointing in regular season action. He could end up on the team’s practice squad if he goes unclaimed.

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Patriots HC Bill Belichick mentioned on Monday that DT Vince Wilfork has a “serious injury.”

“It’s probably unlikely that he’ll be able to play again this year,” said Belichick.

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Shalise Manza Young first reported that Patriots DT Vince Wilfork has a torn Achilles tendon and is almost certainly out for the season.

Wilfork went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Falcons. He managed to limp off the field, but was later taken to the locker room on a cart.

This is major loss to the Patriots defense. Wilfork is an incredible player who’s size and overall ability allow him to effectively defend the run and still disrupt plays in the backfield.

Last night, Atlanta began attacking the middle of the Patriots defense line with Wilfork out, so New England will need to find some adequate replacements, even if he’s somehow able to return later in the year.

As of now, the Pats have Tommy Kelly and rookies Joe Vellano and Chris Jones on their roster defensive tackle, so I’m sure a signing is coming at some point this week.