The Patriots’ defense lost one of its most important players during Sunday’s Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

Startling middle linebacker and co-captain Ja’Whaun Bentley suffered a shoulder injury during the second quarter of New England’s home opener and did not return. Bentley spent the remainder of the first half in the locker room and was ruled out shortly after halftime.

Bentley ranked second among Patriots defenders in snaps played last season, and he went wire to wire in last Sunday’s season-opening win over Cincinnati. This is his fourth season as a Patriots team captain.

Respected veteran Raekwon McMillan replaced Bentley in the middle of New England’s defense. Safety Kyle Dugger took over green-dot responsibilities as the primary defensive communicator in Bentley’s absence.

The Patriots’ edge rusher rotation also took a hit Sunday as Oshane Ximines went down with a shoulder injury. Ximines, a training camp and preseason standout, was ruled out midway through the third quarter.

The 27-year-old spent his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants before signing with the Patriots this offseason. Ximines played 11 snaps on defense and 17 on special teams in Week 1.