The New England Patriots are in serious trouble on their offensive line, with head coach Mike Vrabel confirming Tuesday that right guard Ben Brown and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker are “probably going to miss” Thursday’s game against the Bears. This isn’t just a tough break; it’s a massive blow to an already banged-up unit heading into a short week.
The Injury Avalanche Is Real
Remember last Sunday’s win over the Jets? It came at a huge cost, with three starting offensive linemen getting dinged up. Brown is dealing with a knee injury, and Vera-Tucker’s hamstring is acting up. That’s two key guys out, leaving a gaping hole in the interior of that line. Vrabel did say that right tackle Morgan Moses, who’s got a foot injury and would have been limited in Monday’s practice, actually “has a chance to play this week.” So there’s a glimmer, but it’s faint, and it means they’re still facing a major challenge.
Who’s Stepping Up? And The Real Problem
When you lose three starters in one game, you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel. Backups Caleb Lomu, Matt Pryor, and Walter Rouse were all thrown into the fire against the Jets. The team had to fortify that group because, let’s be real, they were just one injury away from putting someone out of position in Week 6. Now, facing the Bears on a short week, they’re going to need those guys to step up big time, or it’s going to be a long night for whoever is under center. The Patriots know they need to “fortify that group” even further, because their depth is getting absolutely shredded.
So, Thursday night against the Bears, it’s not just a football game; it’s a test of depth and resilience for the Patriots’ offensive line. Can they patchwork this thing together and protect their quarterback, or are we about to watch a unit struggle to hold the line? This is definitely something to keep an eye on, especially with their O-line already looking shaky.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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