Dominique Easley
was placed on IR today, ending his season early for the second time in his second year. Easley was part of the Patriots pass-rush package, often playing with three defensive ends, and they were putting together the best third down defense percentage since 2009.
As an Easley fan from the get-go, I find this one incredibly frustrating. Sometimes injuries are just freak things, but it’s hard to argue this is a trend for Easley. Both this year and last year’s season-enders are somewhat of a mystery, but along with his double ACL tears in college it also seems like he has an endless parade of other small ailments.
I thought Easley was having a very good season, but not the “breakout super season” some are calling it on Twitter right now. He had his moments and seemed to be getting more and more comfortable, but I still think rookie Malcom Brown has looked like the better and more consistent player this year.
So now what? There’s no question the pass rush is taking a blow. Easley was the most explosive guy off the snap and caused a lot of issues. Now they’ll be forced to either go to a 300+ tackle on third down like Brown, Hicks or Branch. Less likely is the option of using Geneo Grissom who saw some time in this role early in the season when Easley was out.
After Grissom’s punt team snafu against the Eagles I doubt we see him in much action the rest of the season, and certainly not in the playoffs.
Perhaps a creative answer is using Hightower in a rush role in the playoffs. This is only doable if they feel comfortable with Jerod Mayo in coverage.
Aside from Dion Lewis, this is my biggest buzz kill injury of the season and the first major hit to the defense. Still not as bad as it would be to lose Collins, Hightower or one of the big three defensive ends, but Easley’s impact in the most important part of the game is irreplaceable and his absence will be felt on third-and-longs.
