Out in Minnesota for a week of work, the New England Patriots saw a change up front along the offensive line.
After repping as the top left guard for most of training camp, rookie lineman Jared Wilson opened Thursday’s joint practice with the second unit for warmups before departing early.
That left Ben Brown to rep as New England’s starting left guard — a position he went on to hold in the team’s second preseason game on Saturday, even when Wilson was determined healthy enough to play after pre-game
warmups.
“Just trying to get everybody the the spots that they may end up in and have still have a competition at at left guard and making sure that he’s where he needs to be,” head coach Mike Vrabel said post-game. “And I give [Jared Wilson] credit. Wasn’t able to practice on Thursday. Worked hard to get back. Worked him out before the game and we all decided that that he would be able to play and he played.
“Probably had some good snaps and probably was going to have some snaps that we’ll need to improve on. So, that’s the plan is just trying to get him all the work that he may need and continue to compete.”
With Wilson still suiting up on Saturday, the demotion to the second unit appears to be performance related for now. While the rookie’s strong start to training camp led him to earning a top role, Wilson struggled in New England’s first preseason game against the Commanders.
After being inserted into the game with the backup line at left guard, Wilson eventually went on to receive snaps at his natural center position for the first time since the beginning of training camp. With one more preseason game remaining and just over three weeks until the regular season opener, it’s part of New England still working to hammer down their best options up front.
“I think just when it’s clear, there’s not a timeline,” Vrabel said of deciding a starting five. “But I think that when it becomes clear, and it didn’t before and I don’t think it has yet now. So, we will still keep working and trying to get the best group in there and then get guys that are versatile and can help us behind them — because very rarely are you going to play the same five throughout a 17-game season and hopefully whatever comes after that.
“Just trying to get a good solid group of offensive linemen, establish the first unit, but then also have some really good pieces behind them.”
