Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison With the 2008 season not even half way through the books, the New England Patriots have already been decimated by key injuries. The Patriots have now lost Pro-bowl safety Rodney Harrison to a season ending leg injury.

According to a league source, Harrison, one of New England's biggest emotional leaders, and defensive star, has suffered a season and possibly career ending torn quadriceps muscle in his right leg.

Harrison went down on the final play of the third quarter of the Pats' 41-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, last night. While trying to plant and reverse direction, the stand out safety's leg gave out as he gave chase to Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler.

Given Harrison's
age, 35, and the apparent severity of the injury along with the extensive rehabilitation he is about to face, it is likely that he would retire. In fact, Harrison may already fear this as he gave a salute to the New England fans while being carted off the field.

"It was difficult for all of us to watch Rodney be carted off," Belichick said. "You hate to see that with any player. We all feel badly for him."

After losing league MVP Tom Brady in week one, the Patriots have also placed starting running back Laurence Maroney before the game against Denver on Monday.

As if that wasn't enough; now with Harrison done for the year, the rest of the Patriots will really have to step it up to fill the void left by the absence of their team leader.