FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick added context to the absence of linebacker Jerod Mayo, who has not played this preseason, noting that it’s an injury-based situation.

“Jerod is doing well. He’s making good progress,” Belichick said during his weekly pre-game interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub, without getting into specifics on what is holding Mayo back.

Mayo dressed for Friday night’s preseason game against the Panthers, but Steve Beauharnais started in his place. Mayo hasn’t played in the first half Friday, and isn’t expected to see any action.

“He practiced last week. We’ll see how it goes out here in pre-game warmup today, with some of our players, and probably make a decision on them a little closer to game-time,” Belichick said in the pre-game interview. “Of course, during the regular season we don’t have the luxury of doing that, but in preseason we do.”