BAMAPHIN 22
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Already missing their best pass rusher, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be without their best tackler for the rest of the season.
Linebacker Mike Peterson, the team's top tackler the last three years, tore a pectoral muscle in the 41-0 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday and is out for the season. It's the latest setback for a defense that lost Reggie Hayward in the opener and linebacker Pat Thomas the following week.
Tests Monday determined the severity of Peterson's injury. Coach Jack Del Rio said Peterson likely will get a second opinion, but he was confident the eight-year veteran will be place on injured reserve.
"It's unfortunate," Del Rio said. "Mike is obviously a very good football player and a very spirited leader. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of temperament. He worked really hard to have a big year for us. He's played well in the middle for us since we got here in '03. That's a blow. It's another blow for us to overcome.
"The way we approach it is we prepare our guys to be able to step up and fill the gap. We expect guys to play well around them and we continue on our quest."
Peterson started every game the last three seasons for the Jaguars, recording 535 tackles, 12 sacks, six interceptions and four forced fumbles. He started all five games this year and had a team-high 42 tackles, two quarterback pressures and an interception.
The Jags (3-2) will use their bye week to figure out how to replace their defensive star. Del Rio said Daryl Smith, Tony Gilbert or Nick Greisen probably will move into the starting spot. Either way, the loss will be tough to overcome for a defense that relies heavily on a speedy middle linebacker to make plays.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/10/09/peterson.ap/index.html
Linebacker Mike Peterson, the team's top tackler the last three years, tore a pectoral muscle in the 41-0 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday and is out for the season. It's the latest setback for a defense that lost Reggie Hayward in the opener and linebacker Pat Thomas the following week.
Tests Monday determined the severity of Peterson's injury. Coach Jack Del Rio said Peterson likely will get a second opinion, but he was confident the eight-year veteran will be place on injured reserve.
"It's unfortunate," Del Rio said. "Mike is obviously a very good football player and a very spirited leader. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of temperament. He worked really hard to have a big year for us. He's played well in the middle for us since we got here in '03. That's a blow. It's another blow for us to overcome.
"The way we approach it is we prepare our guys to be able to step up and fill the gap. We expect guys to play well around them and we continue on our quest."
Peterson started every game the last three seasons for the Jaguars, recording 535 tackles, 12 sacks, six interceptions and four forced fumbles. He started all five games this year and had a team-high 42 tackles, two quarterback pressures and an interception.
The Jags (3-2) will use their bye week to figure out how to replace their defensive star. Del Rio said Daryl Smith, Tony Gilbert or Nick Greisen probably will move into the starting spot. Either way, the loss will be tough to overcome for a defense that relies heavily on a speedy middle linebacker to make plays.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/10/09/peterson.ap/index.html