Mankins leaves Gillette Stadium in a boot

Logan Mankins is hurt. Again. After playing all of last year with an ACL injury, Mankins has been in and out of games with injuries for all of the 2012 season.

The gritty left guard left Gillette Stadium in a boot, however he was walking freely without crutches. But he will have to be watched carefully over to week to see if he can take on the Indianapolis Colts next week. The New England Patriots have been pretty thin on offensive linemen all year, and pressure through the middle has been the main issue, with Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer doing well recently at the tackle position. Losing a tough, experienced guy like Mankins will be a blow for the Patriots.

I hate to say it, but it might be time to look around for a new guard. I love Mankins. I love the fight he gives the team (see the Sunday night game at the Baltimore Ravens). But if he's constantly getting injured, then he might not be good to have on the team, especially as he's one of the highest paid interior lineman in the league. The money could be used for a younger, healthier guard, and then we could invest in the secondary some more...

But in the short term, we need Mankins back, and fast. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis aren't the easiest guys to block...

What are your views on Mankins? Let me know on Twitter, @BrendanAnnely.