Stability along the offensive line continues to be a problem for the New England Patriots. On Sunday against the Detroit Lions, they will use their fourth different combination over the last five games.
What it will ultimately look like remains to be seen, but the guard position continues to be the biggest problem child up front. Ben Brown, who started last week’s game versus the Packers at left guard, is out with a knee injury; as is the player who replaced him last week, Walter Rouse (concussion).
Greg Van Roten, who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday, is the frontrunner to replace them in the lineup.
If so, the Patriots will roll with Will Campbell and Morgan Moses as their starting tackle pair, coupled with an interior consisting of Van Roten, center Jared Wilson, and right guard Matt Pryor. Caleb Lomu, Marcus Bryant and practice squad elevatee Andrew Rupcich will serve as the backups.
Here is a closer look at New England’s game day roster for its game against the Lions in Munich.
Patriots game day roster: Week 10 vs. Lions
Quarterback (3): Drake Maye (10), Tommy DeVito (16), Behren Morton (15)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Corey Kiner (9 | KR), Lan Larison (34)
Fullback (1): Reggie Gilliam (44)
Wide receiver (5): A.J. Brown (1), Mack Hollins (13), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18 | KR), Efton Chism III (86)
Tight end (3): Hunter Henry (85), Eli Raridon (82), Cameron Latu (36)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Caleb Lomu (74), Marcus Bryant (52)
Interior offensive line (4): Greg Van Roten (70 | LG), Jared Wilson (55 | C), Matt Pryor (65 | RG), Andrew Rupcich (67 | practice squad elevation),
Interior defensive line (6): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), DaQuan Jones (99), Leonard Taylor III (93), Joshua Farmer (92)
Defensive edge (3): Elijah Ponder (91), Dre’Mont Jones (5), Gabe Jacas (50)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Darius Muasau (54), Namdi Obiazor (48), Erick Hunter (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Channing Canada (29), Karon Prunty (21)
Safety (4): Kevin Byard III (31), Craig Woodson (4), Jaylen Reed (23), Mike Brown (33)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (8 | K), Mitch Wishnowsky (19 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
While the interior O-line continues to be a revolving door, Drake Maye’s weapons are in comparatively good shape on Sunday. Wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee/ankle) will be back after a two-game absence, while Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) has been given the green light after — like Brown — practicing on a limited basis on both Thursday and Friday.
The Patriots’ secondary, meanwhile, will once again be without starting outside cornerback Carlton Davis, who was ruled out before the trip to Germany with a knee ailment. Luckily for the team, his nominal replacement Charles Woods has been made active, even though a hamstring injury had him listed as questionable on the injury report on Friday.
Patriots reserve
Inactives (6): QB3 Behren Morton (15), OT Dametrious Crownover (68), OL Ben Brown (77), OL Water Rouse (72), CB Carlton Davis III (7), S Brenden Schooler (41),
Practice squad (16): RB Terrell Jennings (26) WR Kyle Dixon (83), WR Chandler Brayboy (81), WR Ryan Miller (11), TE Tanner Arkin (84), TE Tanner Conner (80), OT Lorenz Metz (61 | exempt), OL Xavier Newman-Johnson (64), DT Eric Gregory (95), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), ED Xavier Holmes (58), ED Benton Whitley (42), LB Elias Neal (35), CB Kindle Vildor (28), CB Al’zillion Hamilton (26), S Elliott Davison (27)
Injured reserve (9): RB Myles Montgomery (39 | season-ending), RB TreVeyon Henderson (32), WR Romeo Doubs (87), TE Julian Hill (80 | season-ending), RG Mike Onwenu (71), LG Alijah Vera-Tucker (75), ED Quintayvious Hutchins (45), LB Khalil Jacobs (59), S Dell Pettus (24)
PUP/reserve (1): ED Harold Landry (2)
The Patriots’ reserve lists experienced some changes since last week’s game against the Packers. As part of a series of transactions on Saturday, running back TreVeyon Henderson was placed on injured reserve. Meanwhile, fullback Reggie Gilliam and offensive lineman Greg Van Roten were activated to the 53-man roster.
The Patriots’ game against the Lions at Allianz Arena in Munich will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET.
