Patriots place Dominique Easley on injured reserve

The New England Patriots have placed defensive tackle Dominique Easley on injured reserve.

The New England Patriots have placed defensive tackle Dominique Easley on injured reserve, ending his season.

The team announced the move Tuesday. Comcast Sportsnet’s Tom Curran first reported the news.

Easley, 23, will have his second consecutive season ended by injury after being drafted by New England in the first round of the 2014 draft.

Easley recorded 15 tackles and two sacks this season. His injury is the latest in a slew of injuries for the defending Super Bowl champions, who saw safety Devin McCourty, and linebacker Jonathan Freeny go down on Sunday in addition to Easley and running back LeGarrette Blount, who is reportedly out for the season with a hip injury. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower and receiver Julian Edelman are also out with injuries. 

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The Patriots, who have clinched the AFC East for the seventh straight season and 12th time in the past 13 years, next face the Tennessee Titans.

- Jeremy Woo