The hits keep coming for the New England Patriots.

The team will be placing running back Rex Burkhead and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley on injured reserve Wednesday

Burkhead suffered a neck injury in Sunday's 26-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. He was the team's leading rusher with 86 yards on 24 carries.

With Jeremy Hill also on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the Patriots are left with James White, first-round pick Sony Michel and Kenjon Barner, who was signed Wednesday, as their running backs.

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The ailment for Bentley, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, was not disclosed. He had 14 tackles and one interception in three games.

Six members of New England's nine-man rookie class are now on injured reserve.

Both Burkhead and Bentley could be candidates to return after eight weeks on injured reserve.

The Patriots also signed defensive end John Simon on Wednesday.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.