It looks like Vince Wilfork's season is over. The Patriots defensive tackle suffered a torn Achilles tendon in New England's 30-23 win over Atlanta on Sunday, according to the Boston Globe.
Although there's no time frame yet for recovery, Achilles injuries generally take six to nine months to recover from, according to Dr. Robert Anderson, an NFL foot and ankle specialist.
Wilfork was injured on the Falcons' first offensive series on a play where he appeared to step on another player's foot. Wilfork was then taken to the Patriots locker room on a cart and ended up leaving the Georgia Dome with a protective boot on his right foot.
Leading up to Sunday night's game, Wilfork had been listed on the Patriots injury report for the first time all season with an unspecified foot ailment.
In his 10th season with the Patriots, Wilfork's been about as durable as a defensive linemen comes. The 31-year-old has played in at least 13 games for New England in every season since his rookie year in 2004. Wilfork's played in all 16 regular season games for the Patriots in seven of his 10 seasons.
The Patriots don't have much experience at defensive tackle, so replacing Wilfork won't be easy. The likely fill-ins for Wilfork would be 10th-year veteran Tommy Kelley, along with rookies Joe Vellano and Chris Jones. Vellano is an undrafted free agent the Patriots signed in April. Jones was claimed off of waivers from Tampa Bay on Sept. 12.