Patriots' Jerod Mayo: Placed on IR

Mayo (shoulder) will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

Even though Mayo worked in a reduced role for much of the season, the Patriots may still suffer from his absence against a Denver team that wants to run the ball as much as possible. Jon Bostic, Darius Fleming and Dekoda Watson are the candidates to pick up early-down snaps alongside Jamie Collins (oblique) and Dont'a Hightower. Mayo's absence will become a much bigger issue if Collins is also unable to play.