FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots‘ offensive line problem might’ve just gotten even worse.
Wednesday saw a starting tackle leave practice with an injury, and head coach Jerod Mayo provided updates on four players dealing with nagging ailments. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan also wore a red non-contact jersey.
On the positive side, banged-up tight end Austin Hooper practiced for the second consecutive day, and Nick Leverett returned.
Vederian Lowe Exits Patriots Practice
Lowe left practice early with an apparent back/side injury and didn’t return. He was visibly uncomfortable as he walked off the field.
Lowe has been New England’s top left tackle for most of the summer. He repped as the starter in both preseason games and in nearly every training camp practice.
After Lowe left practice, rookie Caedan Wallace filled in as the top left tackle, and tackle Kellen Diesch worked with the second unit.
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It’s fair to wonder whether Lowe’s injury could impact how the Patriots split quarterback reps in Sunday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders. Will they be less inclined to give extended work to Wallace and Chukwuma Okorafor, the top right tackle? Would they be hesitant to play Drake Maye behind someone like Diesch?
We’ll find out in a few days, but regardless, Lowe’s injury could be a major storyline.
Patriots fans love to mock him, but the reality is Lowe has done a solid job this summer and earned the starting left tackle job.
Jerod Mayo Shares Patriots Injury Updates
During his pre-practice news conference, Mayo offered injury updates on four players who’ve missed practices due to various ailments.
LB Joshua Uche
The edge rusher has been in and out of practice due to an undisclosed injury and was limited on Wednesday.
“It’s something that happened during the summer,” Mayo said of Uche’s injury. “I don’t think it’s major but put him in the bucket of ‘once he’s ready, he’ll go.’ He is dealing with something, though.”
LB Sione Takitaki and WR Kendrick Bourne
Takitaki and Bourne are both on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Bourne continues to recover from a torn ACL, whereas Takitaki is still working his way back from a minor offseason procedure.
“When those guys are ready to come back, they’ll be out here practicing,” Mayo said of those two. “That’s the hard part. I don’t like to put time limits or deadlines on it. When they’re ready to play, we get them from the weightlifting staff and also (trainer) Jim Whalen and his staff, then we’ll go with it.”
Bourne and Takitaki both have been working out and watching practice, but at this point, it’s hard to envision either not beginning the season on PUP.
S/LB Marte Mapu
Mapu, a wildly talented third-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, missed all but one training camp practice and remains sidelined due to a still-mysterious injury. And Patriots fans shouldn’t expect him to return anytime soon.
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“He’s one of those guys, I would love to say ‘day-to-day,’ but we’re probably talking week-to-week,” Mayo said.” I’m sure no one has ever said that before to you guys, but week-to-week.”
Mapu is an intriguing player, but injuries and inexperience have prevented him from making an on-field impact.
