Pats DE Chandler Jones out 1 month

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones will be out for one month after suffering a hip injury, according to a report by The Boston Globe.

Jones, the Patriots' top pass rusher who was absent from practice on Tuesday, played 84 of 87 defensive snaps in Thursday night's 27-25 win over the New York Jets.

Throughout the season, Jones has dealt with a shoulder injury that has kept him on the team's injury report.

Patriots won't have an easy task in replacing Jones, who has made numerous key plays including a blocked field goal that he returned for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

On the season, Jones has 4.5 sacks and 21 total tackles as well as a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jones also has been the main defensive end opposite Rob Ninkovich as Jones has played 414 of 478 defensive snaps this season (86.6 percent).

Rookie defensive lineman Dominique Easley, the Patriots' top pick from the 2014 draft who has battled shoulder and knee injuries this season, projects as a potential fill-in for Jones.

Another player on the roster who could see increased time in Jones' absence is rookie defensive end Zach Moore, a sixth-round pick out of Concordia- St. Paul. Moore is considered a long-term project player with high upside.

ESPN's Ed Werder and The Boston Globe also reported the Patriots are expected to sign free agent defensive lineman Alan Branch. Branch most recently played for the Buffalo Bills and has spent seven years in the NFL.

While not as damaging as losing linebacker Jerod Mayo for the season, the loss of Jones is significant. Ninkovich and linebackers Jamie Collins andDont'a Hightowerwill need to elevate their presence in the pass-rush to make up for the loss of Jones.

Jones' injury is the second significant injury to the Patriots' defensive line this season. Defensive lineman Sealver Siliga was placed on short-term injured reserve on Sept. 27.