For the fourth time in as many weeks to begin the 2026 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills defensive line will face an opponent with an injury-plagued offensive line.
The Patriots announced on Tuesday that they’ve placed veteran right guard Greg Van Roten — who played for the Bills in 2022 — on IR with a thigh injury.
In Week 1 against the Texans, newly
signed right tackle Braden Smith wasn’t available. In Week 2, the Lions had backup center Juice Scruggs in place of the injured Cade Mays. Left guard Christian Mahogany and rookie first-round right tackle did not play against the Bills.
In Week 3, the Chargers were down to their third-string left guard, rookie center Jake Slaughter was playing his third NFL game as the replacement to Tyler Biadasz, and Cole Strange subbed in for Trey Pipkins at right guard.
Regarding this injury to Van Roten, he was already the replacement for Michael Onwenu. The Patriots starting right guard — who’s darn good — fractured his ankle against the Steelers in Week 2 and was subsequently placed on IR.
Ben Brown, a 28-year-old journeyman with 14 career NFL starts and 1,016 snaps since the beginning of 2023, will presumably slide into the right guard spot between second-year pro Jared Wilson at center and grizzled veteran Morgan Moses at right tackle for the club’s Week 4 game against the Bills.
Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Buffalo is sixth in the NFL in defensive pressure rate at 40.3%. Greg Rousseau has played at an All-Pro level through three games. So has Deone Walker.
But we should keep everything in perspective regarding the club’s pass rush efforts to date, because the Bills have been afforded the luxury of facing some relatively banged-up offensive lines to begin the 2026 season.
And that theme will continue on Sunday against the Patriots.
