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Jerod Mayo's season has ended early for the third consecutive year.

The New England Patriots placed Mayo on injured reserve after the veteran linebacker suffered a shoulder injury Saturday. Mayo played seven snaps before suffering the injury in the Patriots' divisional-round win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Patriots are left with Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Jonathan Freeny, Darius Fleming, Dekoda Watson and Jonathan Bostic at linebacker. Hightower has been hindered with a sprained knee since Week 12, and Collins suffered a back injury Saturday. The Patriots take on the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Mayo played all 16 regular season games for the Patriots, starting eight and totaling 47 tackles with one sack and one pass breakup. He played just six games in both 2013 and 2014. He suffered a pectoral injury in 2013 and a knee ailment in 2014.

Mayo is due a $4 million roster bonus in 2016, and he would carry an $11.4 million cap hit. It's highly unlikely Mayo would be back with the Patriots at that cost, though the defensive captain could re-do his contract to stay with the team.

Mayo was selected No. 10 overall in 2008, when he was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012 and was a first-team All-Pro in 2010.

The Patriots now have an available slot on their active 53-man roster.

Mayo is the 21st Patriots player to be placed on a reserve list this season.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images