Patriots Downgrade Defensive Captain For Dolphins Matchup

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo made a passing comment about his team captains, and it might actually be true.

"Sometimes I feel like being a captain this year is like the Madden curse at this point," Mayo told reporters, per a team-provided transcript.

A day after Mayo named Hunter Henry as the team's new offensive captain, Jabrill Peppers on Saturday was downgraded to out for this Sunday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins due to a shoulder injury.

Peppers' downgrade came on the same week David Andrews was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. Kyle Dugger did not practice this week due to an ankle injury, and the safety was named captain after Ja'Whaun Bentley was placed on season-ending IR due to a torn pectoral.

It's been a tough season to be New England captain, and it seems like it will feel it this Sunday with both of its safeties unlikely to play. Luckily for the Patriots, the Dolphins won't have Jaelan Phillips against their offensive line.

The Patriots had three open roster spots after placing Andrews and rookie tackle Caedan Wallace on IR, and it seems like Kendrick Bourne, Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu were trending toward being activated off the physical unable to perform list.