It was early in the first quarter of the New England Patriots’ season opener last Monday against the Buffalo Bills when Patriots defensive captain and linebacker Jerod Mayo injured his knee and left the game. Former Bradwell Tiger Gary Guyton moved into the inside linebacker spot and called the plays for the rest of the game.
Guyton will lead the Patriots’ defense again when they face the New York Jets today as rumors spread that Mayo could be out forsix weeks, according to a report in the Boston Herald. Mayo reportedly injured his medial collateral ligament.
The article says Guyton will sport a green dot on his helmet signaling he’s wearing the helmet radio, taking over the defensive play calling duties.
Patriots’ safety James Sanders told reporter, "Gary was taking charge. He was the one leading us defensively in the huddle."
In a similar article, the Boston Globe reported teams are allowed to have two defenders with the communication system in their helmets, though only one can be on the field at a time. When Mayo went down, Guyton switched to the helmet with the headphones.
Guyton was credited with two solo and two assists in the Patriots 25-24 win in a nail-biting Monday Night season opener.
Guyton and the Patriots take on the Jets Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.