Jerod Mayo hints at latest shakeup to the Patriots offensive line
With left tackle Vederian Lowe dealing with an ankle injury, the Patriots offensive line could be in store for another change this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Through six games, the New England Patriots have used six different starting offensive line combinations. There’s a chance that becomes seven in seven this Sunday.
Vederian Lowe has started the last two games at left tackle for the Patriots, but left last Sunday’s game early with an ankle injury. Lowe wasn’t at practice at Wednesday, and according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal is considered day-to-day.
The problem is, if Lowe can’t go this Sunday the Patriots have no other true left tackles currently on their roster. When Lowe got hurt last week he was replaced by Zach Thomas, who has primarily worked at guard since joining the Patriots as a waiver claim after roster cuts.
When Lowe got hurt earlier this year, Demontrey Jacobs helped fill in at left tackle. He’s since moved to the right side, but could be an option to flip back over. If he’s going to do that though it would likely mean Mike Onwenu moving back out to right tackle from right guard – leaving the Patriots’ best lineman playing out of position.
Despite that, on Wednesday head coach Jerod Mayo didn’t rule out such a move. When asked, he replied “that’s in consideration.”
If Onwenu moves back outside the Patriots could fill their two guard spots with some combination of Michael Jordan, Layden Robinson, and Sidy Sow. To keep Onwenu inside, the team would have to either start Thomas, elevate and start either Jalen McKenzie or Caleb Jones from the practice squad, or make an external addition. Such a move could also mean starting Jacobs on the left side, then Thomas/McKenzie/Jones on the right side.
Onwenu and Lowe have both been among the Patriots’ better pass blockers this year. Among active and qualifying linemen, Onwenu ranks second and Lowe ranks third in pass blocking efficiency on the Patriots’ offensive line this season per PFF. Jordan is the only player ranked ahead of them.
