The New England Patriots took the field Sunday against the Bengals with the same offensive line combination they have started for 11 of their 12 games this season.
When they next take the field Monday night against the New York Giants, however, a brand new lineup will be forced to be debuted.
In a 26-20 win over the Bengals, the Patriots saw both starting left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and left guard Jared Wilson (ankle) ruled out with injuries. While New England is optimistic that neither injury
is season-ending, they will need to move forward without the rookie duo for the time being.
With Campbell out on Sunday, four-year veteran Vederian Lowe played 28 snaps in relief. Seventh-round rookie Marcus Bryant, who was called upon for seven snaps in place of Morgan Moses at right tackle Sunday before the veteran returned, is the only other tackle on the active roster.
Mike Vrabel, however, was not ready to share insight on which player they’ll use to replace Campbell moving forward.
“I don’t know if I would have an accurate answer for you right now. Just where we’re at, we’ll probably go through the week of practice,” Vrabel said Monday. “I thought Vederian had a couple good plays. And, again, he hasn’t had to go in there for us, but I think everybody just has to be ready for their opportunity, and I thought he was for the most part. Some things we’ll have to continue to work on and clean up, but right now it’s probably a little too soon to figure out what the lineup’s going to look like.”
Lowe, who served as New England’s top left tackle last season, has 17 games of starting experience at the position. In relief against the Bengals, the 26-year old allowed just two pressures. Bryant, meanwhile, split his time in New England this summer at both positions after starting his last three seasons at Missouri at left tackle.
Replacing Wilson projects to be more cut-and-dry for the Patriots. With the rookie coming out of the game in the first quarter, veteran Ben Brown filled in and played 68 snaps in place of the rookie. Brown previously started for an injured Wilson at left guard back in Week 4.
“He was ready to go, but had a few plays. I mean, again, they all do. Everybody does,” Vrabel said. “I thought he was ready to go. I thought he was into it. Ben gives us great effort, and he was prepared for the opportunity.”
Caedan Wallace, who has been inactive each game this season, is now the lone interior backup on the active roster. Brenden Jaimes, who was elevated with Wilson sidelined in Week 4, and Andrew Rupcich reside as additional interior depth options on the practice squad.
