The New England Patriots must try to figure out what to do on the right side of their offensive line.
That task became even more desperate on Tuesday when the team placed veteran Greg Van Roten on injured reserve.
Van Roten was in at right guard, replacing Mike Onwenu, who went on the injured list with an ankle injury after Week 2 vs. Pittsburgh.
Walter Rouse stepped in for Van Roten against Jacksonville on Sunday, and the results were not pretty.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Ben Brown might get call
On Monday, Mike Vrabel hinted at what might lie in the near future for that spot.
“It’s good to have Ben (Brown) back healthy. I’m sure he will help us; he’ll probably have to help us this week,” the coach said. “I thought Walter had a few mistakes, but he competed and will have to improve. I’m sure Ben will be a part of that process going forward.”
All eyes now on Moses
Veteran tackle Morgan Moses was showing signs that a foot injury had been affecting his game in Jacksonville. He left early and his replacement, first-round pick Caleb Lomu, did not fare much better.
That will be a position to watch through the week with Moses’ potential status on the injury report, beginning Wednesday, all the way through Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
Van Roten signed with the Patriots in August as a potential move to stock depth in the interior offensive line positions. A veteran of 11 NFL seasons with six different teams, Van Roten took on a more immediate role when Brown suffered through an injury of his own late in training camp.
Brown has since recovered and saw time at center late in the game when Vrabel pulled his starters in the fourth quarter of the ugly loss in Jacksonville.
New England will now look to fill out the roster spot with a likely corresponding move later in the week.
