The knee injury that ended Jerod Mayo's season was a brutal blow for the veteran.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning, via a source informed of the situation, that Mayo underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon. The hope for the New England Patriots linebacker is that he is okay by OTAs and minicamp next year.
It is the same tendon tear that ended New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz's season.
A patellar tear is generally more painful than an ACL tear, with a brutal recovery and rehab period. Oftentimes, players aren't the same when they return.
Mayo played only six games last season as well before tearing a pectoral muscle and being placed on injured reserve.
Bill Belichick has praised Mayo's leadership, and the linebacker is one of the irreplaceable players on the Patriots' defense. However, after playing just 12 games in two seasons and with a cap hit of more than $10.5 million in 2015, Mayo could have played his final game in Foxborough if he isn't the same player after the patellar tear.
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