The Patriots released Bentley (pectoral) on Friday with a failed physical designation, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Bentley stated in mid-March that he has received full medical clearance after missing most of the 2024 campaign due to a pectoral tear suffered Week 2, but being released with a failed physical designation is an indication that the veteran linebacker isn't back to full health yet. Now a free agent, Bentley may have to wait until he's able to demonstrate a readiness to return to on-field activities before finding his next landing spot.
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Ja'Whaun Bentley: Being let go by New England
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Bentley (pectoral) announced Friday via his personal social media account that he is being released by the Patriots.
Bentley missed all but the first two games of the 2024 campaign due to a torn left pectoral muscle, though per Mike Reiss of ESPN, the veteran linebacker announced mid-March at a season-ticket member event that he has received full clearance. In three straight seasons from 2021-23, Bentley surpassed 100 total tackles and held down a consistent starting role for the Patriots. The 28-year-old will now work to find a new opportunity elsewhere in the league, ideally in a defensive scheme that can utilize his abilities as a run-stuffer.
Bentley (pectoral) recorded 12 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, over two games in 2024.
The veteran linebacker from Purdue appeared in just two games this season, missing nearly all of the Patriots' 2024 campaign after sustaining a pectoral injury early into the team's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks. Bentley signed a two-year, $13.5 million extension to stay in New England last offseason, so he's expected to remain with the team in 2025. The 28-year-old has been extremely impactful when on the field, posting 114, 125 and 109 total tackles while missing just two regular-season games from 2021 to 2023. Bentley is expected to return to his starting inside linebacker spot and likely lead New England's defense in stops again in 2025.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Officially placed on IR
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Bentley (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Bentley is in danger of missing the rest of the Patriots' 2024 campaign after sustaining a pectoral injury during the team's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks, so this move to IR comes as no surprise. The 28-year-old will now be forced to miss at least the next four games, with his earliest possible return coming in Week 8 when the Patriots play the Jets. Expect Raekwon McMillan to serve as one of New England's top inside linebackers while Bentley recovers.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: May miss rest of season
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Bentley may be in danger of missing the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Bentley left in the first half of Sunday's overtime loss to the Seahawks due to a left shoulder injury and was ruled out after halftime. Earlier Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that the Patriots were optimistic about Bentley suiting up Thursday at the Jets, but the tide seemingly has turned since then. First, Bentley was listed as a non-participant on New England's first Week 3 injury report, which was an estimate because the team didn't practice Monday. Following Rapoport's report, Bentley now may be unavailable for the rest of the campaign. Coach Jerod Mayo and/or the Pats likely will provide clarity regarding Bentley's health in the near future.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Dealing with shoulder injury
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Bentley is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Seahawks due to a left shoulder injury.
Bentley sustained the injury late in the first quarter, and trainers were checking out his left shoulder on the sideline. Raekwon McMillan will see increased work at inside linebacker alongside Jahlani Tavai while Bentley is sidelined.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Active game in defeat
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Bentley recorded seven tackles (five solo) in the Patriots' 27-21 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
With this performance, the sixth-year pro exceeded 100 tackles for the third consecutive season. Bentley has 104 tackles, including 4.0 sacks, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2023.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Notches eight stops in Week 16 win
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Bentley tallied eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 26-23 victory versus the Broncos.
Bentley tied for the team lead in stops in the contest, bouncing back from the modest three-tackle output he posted against Kansas City in his previous game. The veteran linebacker entered the weekend as questionable due to a knee injury, but he was able to log all but one of the Patriots' 69 defensive snaps. Bentley has posted a career-high 4.0 sacks on the season, and he needs three more tackles to hit the triple-digit mark for the third straight campaign.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Questionable for Sunday
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Bentley (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday night's game against the Broncos.
Bentley has been dealing with this knee issue for a couple weeks, but he was able to play through the injury Week 15. After a week of limited practice sessions, the 27-year-old has a chance to suit up this Sunday as well. If Bentley were to miss New England's Week 16 affair, Mack Wilson would likely see increased snaps in the team's linebacker corps.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Registers sack in loss
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Bentley recorded two solo tackles, including a sack, in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants.
Bentley made his return to the field after missing the team's Week 10 loss to the Colts with a hamstring injury and picked up where he left off, registering his third sack over his last two active contests. The linebacker has now compiled 70 total tackles, including a career-high 4.0 sacks, and has deflected three passes and forced a fumble over 10 games in 2023.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Limited Wednesday
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Bentley (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Bentley has started all nine games for New England, playing 87 percent of the defensive snaps. He's tallied 68 tackles (35 solo), three pass breakups, three sacks and five tackles for loss on the year. The Patriots will do battle with the Colts and Jonathan Taylor in Germany this Sunday.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Won't return Week 8
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Bentley (hamstring) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Zack Cox of NESN reports.
Mack Wilson has filled in for Bentley at linebacker with the latter off the field. His injury will be worth monitoring to assess his status for Week 9 against the Commanders.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Records nine tackles in win
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Bentley recorded nine tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 29-25 win over the Bills.
Bentley also broke up one pass in coverage. Through seven starts, Bentley has recorded 49 tackles (21 solo), three pass breakups, five QB hits and one sack. He's been in on 95 percent of the defensive snaps for New England.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Not on injury report
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Bentley (knee) was not on New England's injury report Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
Bentley exited last week's shutout loss to the Saints with a knee injury but appears to be healthy again. The 27-year-old is now slated to suit up against the Raiders on Sunday and will look to help slow down Josh Jacobs.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Exits game Sunday
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Bentley exited Sunday's 34-0 loss to the Saints with a knee injury.
Bentley left Sunday's game late in the fourth quarter and didn't return, finishing the day with 11 tackles and one sack. Mack Wilson took over at inside linebacker following Bentley's departure. Until the Patriots provide an update, Bentley can be viewed as day-to-day heading into the team's Week 6 matchup with the Raiders.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Earns extension
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Bentley signed a two-year extension with the Patriots on Thursday worth $18.75 million with $9 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Bentley was entering the final year of a two-year deal signed last March. The 26-year-old led New England with 125 tackles (62 solo) last season and should remain an integral part of the team's defense beyond just the 2023 campaign.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Leads team in tackles Monday
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Bentley logged 10 tackles (three solo) in Monday's 27-13 victory over the Cardinals.
Bentley continued to pace the Patriots' defense in tackles, as he finished with a game-high in stops versus the Cardinals. The 255-pound linebacker also notched five stops against Arizona's running backs, even though the team wound up with just 22 total rushes to 41 combined passing attempts. Bentley now has now accumulated 87 tackles while also playing at least 70 percent of defensive snaps in all but three of New England's games this season. He should take on a big role Week 15 against a Las Vegas offense that ranks 10th in rushing yards per game (128.5).
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Team-high nine tackles
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Bentley logged nine tackles (six solo) and one sack in Sunday's 26-3 victory over the Colts.
Bentley finished as the Patriots leading tackler and accounted for one of the team's nine sacks against Indianapolis. The inside linebacker now leads New England with 54 stops (22 solo) through the first nine games of the season, and he should have a chance to set a new career high in this category if remains healthy moving forward.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Picks up injury Sunday
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Bentley (back) was ruled questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Bentley ultimately was able to suit up versus Pittsburgh after he suffered a toe injury Week 1, but he now appears to have sustained a new unspecified back injury Sunday. The 26-year-old finished as New England's leading tackler (109) in 2021, so Jahlani Tavai and Mack Wilson likely will have to fill prominent roles at inside linebacker for the time being.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Logs limited practice Thursday
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Bentley (toe) was limited at practice Thursday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Bentley suffered a toe injury during Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Dolphins that caused him to watch Wednesday's practice from the sidelines, but his return to Thursday's session in any capacity is an encouraging sign that his injury isn't considered too serious. The 255-pound linebacker is coming off a team-high seven tackles and a sack in Week 1, and his participation during Friday's practice should provide more clarity regarding Bentley's availability Sunday against the Steelers.
