New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots were bitten by the injury bug during Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Early reports on the injuries to rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson indicate they are not expected to be season-ending. However, each will most likely miss some time in the near future.
There are holes in the left side of the offensive line, and, if Sunday was any indicator, they will be filled by former starters Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown.
Lowe made 13 starts at left tackle last season on what was one of the league’s worst units. He took over the position in Campbell’s absence Sunday.
Patriots staff writer Evan Lazar examined the film of the expected replacements.
“Lowe was serviceable in his 28 snaps vs. the Bengals, allowing a hurry when he got beat by the rusher coming off chip help, and he was on the scene for an unblocked pressure on the final third down of the game (hard to say who was responsible there),” Lazar wrote. “If he does start at left tackle next week, the mental errors will hopefully get cleaned up with a full week of practice reps with the 1s.”
Brown has played for five teams since entering the league in 2022, finding a home in New England, where he made 10 starts last season. He replaced the injured Wilson at left guard early in Sunday’s game.
“Ben Brown is the other spot-starter who could see more playing time until rookie Jared Wilson (ankle) returns,” Lazar wrote. “Brown essentially played the entire game on Sunday, and it was a mixed bag … Overall, (it was) five plus plays to seven minus plays. As we said with Lowe, hopefully, a full week of practice with the ones will help Brown prepare to fill in for Wilson.”
Going into Week 12, the 10-2 Patriots had the same starting offensive line in 11 of 12 games. That will change Monday night against the New York Giants.
