The New England Patriots are rolling into their fourth game of the season this Sunday, and get this: it’s gonna be their third different starting player at right guard. Seriously. This isn’t some crazy experiment, it’s a brutal reality check for their offensive line that has already seen way too much turnover in a few short weeks.
O-Line Carousel Spinning Way Too Fast
This whole mess started with Mike Onwenu, who was locked into that right guard spot for the season. But Week 2 against Pittsburgh, boom: fractured ankle. He’s out for most, if not all, of 2026. Just like that, your rock is gone. So Greg Van Roten steps in last week against Jacksonville, and what happens? He lasts only one game before leaving in the second quarter with a thigh injury. Now Van Roten is on injured reserve, leaving the Patriots scrambling to find their third right guard for Sunday’s clash with the Bills. It’s a full-blown crisis up front, and it’s early in the season.
Who Steps Up? Vrabel’s Dilemma
So who’s even left? Head coach Mike Vrabel has narrowed it down to two guys: Walter Rouse and Ben Brown. Vrabel said Wednesday, “Walter [Rouse] and Ben [Brown] will work in there today and tomorrow, and we’ll kind of see where that goes for the week.” Rouse actually got thrown into the fire after Van Roten’s injury against the Jaguars, playing 41 offensive snaps in that brutal 35-6 defeat. It was a tough debut for the late-August trade pickup, especially stepping into a new position cold. Originally, the team went with Rouse over the more experienced Brown because Brown backs up left guard and center. Now, with the circumstances totally different, we could see a lineup change again. What we won’t see, though, is Alijah Vera-Tucker sliding over from left guard. Vrabel is sticking to his plan for AVT, stating, “The vision that I have for AVT and Will [Campbell], you’re starting to see a little bit of that. I want to continue that.” So, no help from inside. This is all on Rouse or Brown to step up.
This Sunday, the Patriots are up against the Buffalo Bills. With their third different right guard in four games, the stability of that offensive line is going to be tested big time. Keep an eye on whoever starts at right guard because their performance could dictate how this game goes.
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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