The fragility of the New England Patriots offensive line situation stepped to the front on Thursday at training camp.
Sure, Mike Vrabel and Co. made offseason moves to solidify the top six, adding free agent Alijah Vera-Tucker and for the second straight year expending their top draft pick on a tackle, Utah's Caleb Lomu.
But the Patriots have hit a bump or two this summer up front, and it came to a head on Thursday.
Campbell sits out much of practice
Starting left tackle Will Campbell sat out the team portion of practice, sporting a brace on his left arm. The team did not go to Lomu in filling the spot. Instead, Vrabel chose Marcus Bryant to take the position.
For Bryant, a seventh-round selection in 2025 who did not start a game last year, that was a positive for sure.
"Just being able to step up and compete, and being able to step in for my brother means a lot," said Bryant. "Growing up and maturing is a part of the game, and I feel like I took another step this year."
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
A step back for the top pick?
For Lomu, though, it might be considered a step back. The heir apparent to Morgan Moses at right tackle, Lomu has been slated to be the sixth-man, a swing tackle able to fill in on both sides. He played the left side at Utah.
If he doesn't emerge and ready himself for the pro game, it puts pressure on both tackle spots, needing Moses and Campbell to stay healthy.
Help could be on way inside
New England should be set in the inside spots with Vera-Tucker, second-year man Jared Wilson and veteran Mike Onwenu, but the Patriots might be feeling a tad thin there as well with journeyman Ben Brown leading the charge for top reserve.
The club's confidence in that plan may have been a bit exposed when the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport broke news on "X" that the team had brought in 11-year NFL vet Greg Van Roten for a workout on Thursday.
Van Roten, who has played for six different teams, is a 36-year-old who played every offensive snap for the Giants the past two seasons. He also has experience in the Josh McDaniels system, having played for him in 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
