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Nate Solder was almost as important off the field as he was on it for the New England Patriots this season.

The Patriots left tackle was named one of New England's seven captains before the start of the season, and according to his teammates, he was filling into that role quite well.

But Solder's immediate impact has been minimized after he was placed on injured reserve with a torn biceps this week. That means someone else will have to fill his void on the offensive line and as a leader.

"It's going to be very difficult," special teams captain Matthew Slater said Thursday. "Nate has a quiet confidence about him that really encourages everyone in this locker room. Obviously the player he is for us is huge. Nate is a great man, and if you get to know him he's a very unique person.

"So we are obviously going to miss him very much, but we're doing our best to move forward and definitely play with him in mind."

While it is tough to see a teammate go down with a season-ending injury like Solder, the motto in the Patriots' locker room is next man up, and this situation is no different.

"On the field he's a tough competitor," defensive captain Devin McCourty said. "He does a lot, not just for the offense obviously but for the team having his presence there. Around here it's always the next guy up, trying to get done what he's getting done on the field. It's going to be tough, but each guy has to step up.

"Off the field I think, it's just tough. You see how much work he puts in and now to have to be sidelined, I think everyone you feel for him. The team, you know we'll find a way and somehow get guys in there and do what we have to do to continue playing well. But it just sucks knowing how you have to watch all the work he's put in and definitely stepping up to be a leader this year."

So who exactly will be that next man up? Only time will tell, but expect tight end Rob Gronkowski to continue to step up and help with blocking.

That's not exactly new for Gronkowski, though. While his most notable impact is in the passing game, he consistently adds an extra layer of blocking in the run and pass game that is hard to match at his position.

"(Solder's) a great player and a great guy," Gronkowski said. "You just never want to see someone go down, no one on your team and especially a guy like Nate with his size and athletic ability that he brings to the table. But the next guy has to step up, the offensive line, myself included. So everyone has to come together and step up."

Next man up is more than a motto for the Patriots now -- it's a reality.

Thumbnail photo via Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports Images