The New England Patriots’ offensive line depth just took a massive hit, right there in the first quarter of their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Ben Brown, who had actually started that game at center and was slotted as their top interior backup for the entire 2026 season, went down and couldn’t come back. And according to head coach Mike Vrabel, we’re not talking about a quick return.
Vrabel Drops the Bomb on Brown’s Timeline
This wasn’t just some bump or bruise. Brown remained down on the field after a sack against backup quarterback Tommy DeVito on Thursday night. That’s when you know it’s serious. He needed help to walk off the field, straight into the blue medical tent, then gone to the locker room. The alarm bells were ringing, loud and clear. Then Vrabel confirmed the worst ahead of Saturday’s training camp practice: “Ben is going to be a few weeks. Four-to-six, eight, 10, 12. Even numbers. But it will probably be extensive throughout the rest of the preseason for sure.” Hearing those numbers, “four-to-six, eight, 10, 12,” and then “extensive throughout the rest of the preseason,” tells you everything. This is a huge blow to their plans and it’s happening right out of the gate.
The Immediate Fallout and a Call for Help
So, with Brown out, what happened? An undrafted rookie, Jacob Rizy, took over at center for New England. Think about that for a second: top interior backup gone, and an undrafted rookie steps in immediately. That arrangement is definitely one to watch heading into next week’s joint practices and preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots weren’t messing around either, showing how critical this depth is. They signed two free agent interior linemen, Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski, to their active roster on Saturday. Talk about an immediate scrambling for bodies! Brown, at 28, was a significant piece, having played 31 games with 14 starts for the Patriots since joining in 2024, and he just signed a two-year, $5 million extension in December 2025. He was projected as their No. 4 interior linemen, backing up starters Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, and Mike Onwenu. His absence leaves a gaping hole.
A Journeyed Veteran’s Setback
Brown’s journey to this point hasn’t been a straight line, which makes this setback even tougher. He started his career as an undrafted rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2022. From there, he bounced around, with stints in Seattle, Arizona, and Las Vegas, before finally finding his footing in New England. He worked hard to earn that extension and that top backup spot. Now, it’s all up in the air for the foreseeable future.
With the Eagles on deck for joint practices and another preseason game, the focus has to be on how Jacob Rizy holds up and how quickly Dalcourt and Michalski can integrate. The Patriots have to figure out this O-line situation fast, because the rest of their preseason just got a whole lot more challenging.
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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