The injury occurred in the first quarter on a running play when the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Bentley was engaged with 6-foot-4, 335-pound right guard Anthony Bradford and wrestled him to the ground with his left arm.

Bentley flexed his left arm after the play and remained in the game for one more snap before heading to the sideline to undergo tests. He was initially deemed questionable to return to the game before the team ruled him out in the second half.

A seven-year veteran who has spent his entire career in New England, Bentley was named a captain for the third straight year in 2024. Head coach Jerod Mayo has referred to him as one of the NFL's most underrated linebackers.

Bentley's injury comes after the Patriots also lost up-and-coming defensive tackle Christian Barmore in training camp when he was diagnosed with blood clots. The team also traded top pass rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick after an extended contract impasse, which means New England is now without three core defenders who initially were a big part of its plans.

In Bentley's absence, eight-year veteran Raekwon McMillan stepped in at the team's off-the-ball linebacker spot on Sunday alongside six-year veteran Jahlani Tavai. Third-year veteran Christian Elliss, whose primary contributions come on special teams, also was bumped up the depth chart and played one series in place of McMillan on Sunday.

The Patriots also have linebacker Sione Takitaki, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list, as a possible option once he is eligible to begin practicing after the fourth week of the season. Takitaki, who signed a two-year contract as a free agent in the offseason after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, is rehabilitating from knee surgery.

NFL Media first reported the severity of Bentley's injury.