Patriots S Brandon McGowan (chest) will miss the 2010 season.
The Patriots lost another member of their secondary for the 2010 season, placing S Brandon McGowan on the season-ending injury reserve list Saturday.
McGowan has been held out most of camp with an undisclosed chest injury, although speculation is the 26-year-old has a torn pectoral muscle. Safeties Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung are the slated starters, but McGowan would have been a versatile tool in the New England’s defense scheme due to his ability to both line up in the box and fall back in coverage against opposing TEs, according to ESPN.com. He finished 2009 with 79 tackles and 3 forced fumbles.
Losing a veteran of McGowan’s caliber is another blow to an immature Patriots D that will also be without leading cornerback Leigh Bodden (torn rotator cuff) in 2010. The wealth of injuries have forced New England to start second-year corner Darius Butler and rookie Devin McCourty in what will be the most inexperienced duo in the NFL.
According to ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, New England acquired Chiefs S Jarrad Page late Saturday to pad their depleted secondary. The 5-year vet will bring some valuable knowledge and has impact potential, recording 85 tackles, 4 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles in 2008. Kansas City will receive a conditional draft pick in exchange.
The Patriots open 2010 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 12.