FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Seahawks, and he’ll be replaced off the field as well as on it.

The Patriots have named safety Kyle Dugger as a new team captain, Coach Jerod Mayo announced Wednesday.

New England linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. Stew Milne/Associated Press

“I thought it was important to just go back and kind of talk about my experience,” Mayo said Wednesday morning. “As you guys know, there were a few seasons there where I was hurt at the end, more than one, right? So I was a captain seven out of eight years. But I remember getting hurt early in the season, and then Coach (Bill Belichick) approached me and said, ‘Hey, do you mind? You know, bringing in another captain.’ And I didn’t.

“And so I had a conversation with Bentley, and same thing with him, you know, obviously not being in the building every single day right now as he goes through the rehab process, but I did ask him. I said, ‘To me, it’s important that we still have leadership and representation for that side of the ball.’ And when we did the votes for captain, and once again, this is voted on by their peers. It was very close. It was very close. And happy to announce today a guy that has done a tremendous job for us, has really shown a lot of growth on the field and off the field, and that’s Kyle Dugger. And so Dugger is now a captain for us.”

Bentley’s injury is expected to be season-ending, though Mayo would not confirm that news Wednesday. He did say that he wants Bentley to be around the team when he’s healthy enough to travel and that he plans on the veteran linebacker assisting on the sideline when he’s available.

Dugger now joins Bentley, quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center David Andrews, long snapper Joe Cardona, safety Jabrill Peppers and defensive end Deatrich Wise as Patriots captains.

“He brings that mentality, that physicality, that you want on your defense,” Mayo said of Dugger.

For now, the Patriots are increasing starting linebacker Jahlani Tavai’s role in the defense and promoting Raekwon McMillan from backup to starter to replace Bentley on the field. Mayo mentioned safety Marte Mapu, who’s on injured reserve, and Sione Takitaki, who’s on the physically unable to perform list, as two players who could help fill in. Both Mapu and Takitaki are eligible to return after the Patriots’ Week 4 matchup against the 49ers. Takitaki didn’t practice all summer, and Mapu participated very early in training camp before suffering an injury that knocked him out the rest of the summer and through at least the first four weeks of the season.

STEVENSON FUMBLES: Even though Rhamondre Stevenson has fumbled three times this season, Jacoby Brissett still has faith in the Patriots’ lead back. That hasn’t been shaken.

“(It’s) unwavering,” Brissett said Wednesday. “He’s one of the best running backs in the league. I’m not worried about that.”

While Stevenson has put the ball on the ground three times, he’s only lost one. That came during the Patriots’ Week 3 loss to the New York Jets. The back, however, knows he has to have a better handle on the football. The Patriots’ offense is having enough trouble without turnovers adding to the issues.

“I’m always going to be myself, and play how I play,” Stevenson said. “That’s not going to change. But it’s very simple. Just hold the ball. Football is football. The modern day, they’re going after the ball. Defenses are punching at it. It’s our job to secure it, and hold onto the ball every time we get it.”

Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo said holding onto the football will always be a point of emphasis, not just for Stevenson, but for everyone.

“We always say that ball security is job security. We’re all disappointed in three fumbles. He understands that,” Mayo said Wednesday. “We have to take care of the ball.”

Specifically when it comes to Stevenson, one of his greatest strengths – breaking tackles – can get him into trouble if he’s not careful.

“It’s not really a technique thing. Well, I take that back. It is at times,” Mayo went on. “Rhamondre is probably top-five in the league as far as breaking tackles. Now, that’s a dual-edge sword. You always want these guys to break tackles and try to make these big explosive plays, but in doing that, sometimes the ball gets loose.

“We always talk about double in trouble. If people are around you, put two hands on the football. It sounds simple to say, but it is hard to do it sometimes, especially when you’re trying to get extra yards.”

PRACTICE REPORT: The Patriots’ offense had full attendance at Wednesday’s padded practice, a positive sign as the team gears up for this weekend’s game at San Francisco.

On Monday, the team practiced without tight end Hunter Henry, while left tackle Vederian Lowe was limited. Starting left guard Sidy Sow also hit the field for the first time in a month that day, and practiced again Wednesday with Lowe.

The Pats will hold practices midday Thursday and Friday before leaving for San Francisco on Friday evening. Their first injury report will be released Wednesday evening.