Patriots won’t make sweeping changes after latest O-line injury

The New England Patriots, who will face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, are set to play their fourth game of the season without making significant alterations to their offensive line. Quarterback Mike Onwenu, the initial starting right guard, is sidelined with a fractured ankle and is expected to be out for most of the remainder of the 2026 season.

His replacement, Greg Van Roten, who started in the previous week's game against Jacksonville, suffered a thigh injury in the second quarter and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.

With Van Roten also out, the Patriots will now rely on right guard number three for their upcoming match. Head coach Mike Vrabel will decide between Walter Rouse and Ben Brown for this position. Rouse replaced Van Roten in the last game and played the final 41 offensive snaps, despite finding the transition challenging. Brown, who has experience in both left guard and center positions, was initially considered for the role.

However, as per Vrabel, the team's plans for Alijah Vera-Tucker, who plays left guard, do not include him starting at right guard. Vrabel explained that he is gradually unveiling his vision for both Vera-Tucker and fellow player Will Campbell, signaling no plans to shift Vera-Tucker into a new role.