<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without leading tackler Mike Peterson for the rest of the season, another significant setback for the defense. Peterson tore a pectoral muscle early in the 41-0 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday. Tests Monday determined the severity of the injury. Coach Jack Del Rio said Peterson likely will get a second opinion, but he was confident Peterson will be place on injured reserve."It's unfortunate," Del Rio said. "Mike is obviously a very good football player and a very spirited leader. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of temperament. He worked really hard to have a big year for us. He's played well in the middle for us since we got here in '03. That's a blow. It's another blow for us to overcome."The way we approach it is we prepare our guys to be able to step up and fill the gap. We expect guys to play well around them and we continue on our quest."Peterson started every game the last three seasons for the Jaguars, making 535 tackles, 12 sacks, six interceptions and four forced fumbles. He started all five games this year and had a team-high 42 tackles, an interception and two quarterback pressures.The Jags (3-2), heading into their bye week, already are playing without defensive end Reggie Hayward and linebacker Pat Thomas.Hayward, who led the team with 8? sacks last year, ruptured his Achilles' tendon in the opener against Dallas and had season-ending surgery. Thomas, who entered training camp as a starter, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury."I feel bad for Mike," Del Rio said. "I know how much he wants to help this team win and I know how hard he's worked. As a football team we will carry on, but we will definitely miss Mike."</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2618679
That is a huge hit to their defense....Hes one of the best MLB's in the league and nobody gives him credit for it.
^no doubt, but with their huge & spectacularly awesome DTs, the impact of Peterson going down is minimized. Still hurts them big time.
