FOXBORO - There's been a rash of sprained MCLs on the Patriots this season and Brandon Spikes is the latest to suffer one. The Patriots' middle linebacker went down in the third quarter of a game he was playing well in against the Giants. How long will Spikes be gone? Well, the injury is the same as fellow linebacker Jerod Mayo suffered in Oakland. Mayo missed the next two games and also sat out the bye week (like all his teammates) before returning against Pittsburgh. Mayo still seems to be laboring with the knee two games since his return. Aaron Hernandez, who also suffered an MCL sprain, missed two games. His explosiveness has also been reduced since coming back from the injury, which normally carries a 4 to 6-week convalesence. The Patriots play the Jets and Chiefs the next two weeks. With Mayo still not 100 percent, Spikes hurt and Gary Guyton leaving Sunday's game late as well, the Patriots are suddenly in deep linebacker trouble.