The New England Patriots are in a tough spot with their offensive line, heading into their Thursday night game in Chicago likely without *both* starting guards. Head coach Mike Vrabel himself said that Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown are “probably” going to miss the game due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively. This is a massive hit to their protection, and all signs point to their first-round pick, Caleb Lomu, potentially stepping up in an unexpected role.
The O-Line Crisis and Vrabel’s Plan
The injuries to Vera-Tucker and Brown, sustained against the New York Jets on Sunday, are forcing the Patriots to pivot hard. Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor were the next men up against the Jets, but if there are any “hiccups” against the Bears, it sounds like Vrabel is ready to unleash Lomu. Vrabel told reporters on Tuesday that “Caleb will have to be ready to go at multiple positions.” He even mentioned they were “getting ready for him to have to be able pull the ball in the game, in another different scenario.” This isn’t just about plugging a hole, it’s about a versatile player potentially taking on a crucial new assignment.
Lomu’s Journey from Tackle to The Trenches
Lomu joined the Patriots as the 28th overall selection in this year’s draft. What makes this potential move so interesting is that he played almost exclusively at offensive tackle during his college career at Utah. But even then, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf highlighted his versatility right after the draft. Since then, the 6-foot-6, 308-pound rookie has seen reps at both left and right tackle in practice, and crucially, some time inside during training camp. While the Patriots haven’t had to use him in an interior game capacity yet, this Thursday night might be the moment. Lomu himself gets it, saying after the Jets game, “Everyone’s got to prepare like a starter for those types of things that happen. It’s terrible to see. It does happen, though, unfortunately, in this league.” The 21-year-old sounds ready for whatever’s thrown his way.
So, as the Patriots gear up for Chicago, all eyes will be on that offensive line. Will Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor hold their own? Or will we see first-round pick Caleb Lomu make his debut at an entirely new position, showcasing that versatility the team has been grooming him for? It’s a high-stakes game for a banged-up unit, and how they handle it could set an early trend for the rest of their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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