FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Hornets Jerseys 2020 . -- The mantra of the New England Patriots when a player gets injured is "next man up." This week that man will be backup linebacker Dane Fletcher. With Brandon Spikes joining three key defenders on injured reserve with a knee injury, Fletcher is likely to see a lot more action when the Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC divisional-playoff game Saturday night. "Everybody has to step up," Fletcher said Tuesday. "Everybodys role kind of increases on defence, especially in the linebacker unit." Spikes, an outstanding run stopper in his fourth season, was placed on injured reserve Monday. That left the Patriots with six linebackers on their 53-man roster, including rookie free agent JaGared Davis, who was signed off the practice squad Tuesday. Two others have played very little on defence. Rookie Steve Beauharnais has one tackle in two games and Chris White has one defensive tackle while being used mostly on special teams. The remaining starters are Donta Hightower and rookie Jamie Collins, a first-round draft choice. Fletcher, a better pass defender than Spikes, has averaged just 14 defensive snaps in the 15 games hes played, starting just one. He played more than half the snaps only once, against Denver and Peyton Manning. "Spikes has done a great job this year," safety Devin McCourty said, "being a guy thats been a leader on the defence, a guy thats stepped up and made key plays, I think, like hes always done, but really stepping into a leadership role. But now its next man up and being ready to go." That figures to be Fletcher. "Every play matters. Every second youre in there matters," he said. "It could be one problem play that costs your whole team so you dont want to be that guy. So its just kind of that time of the year where everything amps up in every aspect of the game." New England has played most of the season with three of its best defensive players on injured reserve. Tackle Vince Wilfork played the first four games, tackle Tommy Kelly played the first five and linebacker Jerod Mayo played the first six. The Patriots did well enough without them to earn a first-round bye. But will the latest injury be one too many? "I hope not," McCourty said with a laugh. Cheap Hornets Jerseys . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill. Hornets Jerseys 2021 . Ramirez is still hitting behind Puig, only now they are in the third and fourth spots, and the change is starting to generate positive results for manager Don Mattingly. https://www.cheaphornets.com/ . -- The Minnesota Twins have granted relief pitcher Matt Guerrier his unconditional release, making the 35-year-old right-hander a free agent.Cullowhee, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - After improving by five wins this past season, Western Carolina will face an 11-game schedule in 2015 that includes visits to two Southeastern Conference teams. The Catamounts, coming off a 7-5 season and their most wins since 2001, will go to Tennessee on Sept. 19 and Texas A&M on Nov. 14. But the main focus of coach Mark Speirs team is to challenge for the Southern Conference title. Among the Catamounts five home games are dates against conference foes Mercer (Oct. 10), Samford (Oct. 24, Homecoming) and Furman (Nov. 7). They also will hoost Mars Hill (Sept. Fake Hornets Jerseys. 5) and Presbyterian (Oct. 3) out of conference. Were excited about the 2015 schedule and the big opportunities we have to capitalize on the positive momentum from the 2014 season, Speir said. 2015 Western Carolina Football Schedule: Sept. 5 - Mars Hill Sept. 12 - at The Citadel* Sept. 19 - at Tennessee Oct. 3 - Presbyterian Oct. 10 - Mercer* Oct. 17 - at Wofford* Oct. 24 - Samford* (Homecoming) Oct. 31 - at Chattanooga* Nov. 7 - Furman* Nov. 14 - at Texas A&M Nov. 21 - at VMI* * - Southern Conference game ' ' '