Another week, another gut punch for an NFL squad, and this time it’s the Patriots feeling the pain. Right guard Mike Onwenu is officially on their injured reserve list, a move that went down on Tuesday. This isn’t just a minor ding, folks. Onwenu got dinged up big time in Sunday’s win against the Steelers, and early reports after the game were not good, hinting his ankle was actually broken. Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t confirm that nightmare scenario at his Monday press conference, but his words still landed heavy: Onwenu won’t be “available here in the short term.” Oof. You just know that means more than a week or two, right?
The Immediate Fallout
So, what’s the immediate shake-up? During that Steelers game, Greg Van Roten stepped in to replace Onwenu, taking over at guard. But let’s be real, one guy filling in for a snap or two is different from a long-term absence. Coach Vrabel wasn’t spilling all the beans on Monday, but he did hint at some options. He specifically mentioned not ruling out moving their first-round pick, Caleb Lomu, from tackle. That’s a big-time shift, potentially. Or, hey, they could just make “other moves” to patch up that O-line. It tells you everything you need to know about the hole Onwenu leaves when a first-round rookie tackle is already being eyed for a position swap. This isn’t just about one player going down, it’s about potentially reshuffling key pieces up front.
Roster Shuffle and the Road Ahead
To fill Onwenu’s open roster spot, the Patriots grabbed punter Mitch Wishnowsky right off their practice squad. Honestly, what’s a punter gonna do about a hole on the offensive line? Wishnowsky had already been elevated for their first two games, so he’s not exactly new to the game day roster. To balance things out on the practice squad, they signed tight end Tanner Conner. So, a punter in, a tight end to the practice squad, and a massive question mark on the interior offensive line. This kind of roster juggling is never a good sign early in the season, especially when it’s to cover a critical injury on the offensive line. Every single snap is going to feel different without Onwenu anchoring that right guard spot, and it puts a ton of pressure on Vrabel and his staff to find a solution, and fast.
The Patriots have a tough road ahead without Onwenu, and every snap on that offensive line is going to be under a microscope. It’s early in the season, but losing a starter like this means immediate adjustments are needed. Whoever steps in, whether it’s Van Roten, Lomu, or someone else, has massive shoes to fill.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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