The Patriots are heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against the Bengals with one clear question mark for the entire season and this week's opener: the offensive line.
On Friday, New England ruled out projected starting left guard Sidy Sow for Sunday's game due to an ankle injury suffered in the preseason finale in Washington. The Patriots are also listing RB Antonio Gibson (hip), OT Vederian Lowe (abdomen), and LB Joshua Uche (foot as questionable) for Week 1.
Sow avoided a serious injury with the initial fear that the second-year guard tore his Achilles. However, Sow will miss Sunday's game as he continues to work his way back. Along with missing Sow on the left side, there's uncertainty about who will be available for the Patriots at left tackle. After practicing at left tackle for most of the summer, Vederian Lowe (abdomen) is officially questionable. Lowe increased his practice participation this week, but it seems unlikely that the third-year pro could play a full-time role even if he's active.
There's typically some rotating along the offensive line in the opening week because nobody has gone the distance yet in the preseason. Still, one would expect Chuks Okorafor, who has been inconsistent on the left side, to take a bulk of the left tackle snaps on Sunday.
During the media's limited practice window this week, the Patriots were preparing with the following offensive line: LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Michael Jordan, C David Andrews, RG Layden Robinson, and RT Mike Onwenu. If his practice participation is any indication, fifth-year guard Michael Jordan will be one of the Patriots practice squad elevations this week.
Ultimately, New England's offensive line is a concern regardless of how they configure their starting five. However, the left side without Sow and with Okorafor at left tackle is dubious. Okorafor has spent most of his NFL career playing right tackle, where he is at his best, but Lowe and Sow's statuses now have the Patriots scrambling even more on the O-Line. With the Bengals' formidable pressure package led by stud edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, expect Cincinnati to attack the left side of the Patriots offensive line.
As for the rest of the injury report, there's some reason for concern with RB Antonio Gibson's hip injury. Gibson was a mid-week addition to the injury report, which always sounds alarm bells. The veteran running back was spotted in the Patriots locker room in good spirits, so that's a positive sign. If Gibson can't play or is limited, RB JaMycal Hasty could step into a sub-back/third-down role behind lead-back Rhamondre Stevenson, while the Pats could call up early-down bruisers Kevin Harris or Terrell Jennings from the practice squad.
New England is also listing pass-rusher Joshua Uche (foot) as questionable. Uche's availability has been inconsistent, with the edge rusher being in and out of training camp practices. New England is counting on Uche to provide a pass-rushing presence after trading Matthew Judon last month, but a nagging foot injury has continued to limit Uche.
If the former double-digit sack artist can't play, the Pats will lean on edge rusher Oshane Ximines to provide a third-down pass rush. Ximines has been dealing with an ankle injury, but the fifth-year pro was removed from the injury report on Friday. The coaching staff has praised Ximines's performance throughout the summer. Most recently, outside linebacker coach Drew Wilkins mentioned that "OX" is in much better shape physically than in past years. Ximines improved conditioning and fit in a scheme that suits his playing style has paid dividends.
Along with removing Ximines, the following Patriots players are also good to go after popping up on the injury report this week: TE Hunter Henry (foot), CB Jonathan Jones (hamstring), LB Anfernee Jennings (wrist), and DE Deatrich Wise (hamstring).
Most notably, Henry will play following an injury during camp that has held him out of several practices. Before the foot issue, Henry was a summer standout, with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's offense amplifying the tight end. Henry was a consistent target on skinny posts, seams, slot fades, and in the red zone. There was some uncertainty about Henry's status for the opener, but the Pats starting tight end is good to go.
As for the Bengals injury report, the Patriots could catch a break with Cincinnati's two star receivers' statuses in doubt. After ending his camp hold in this week, WR Ja'Marr Chase is officially questionable. It sounds like Chase will play, but he might not be ready to play the entire game after sitting out the preseason, while WR Tee Higgins's availability is in doubt. After first appearing on the report with a hamstring injury on Thursday, Higgins was not at practice on Friday and is officially doubtful for Sunday's game in Cincinnati.
In this week's Patriots Gameplan, we discussed the possibility of second-year CB Christian Gonzalez shadowing Higgins in single coverage, allowing New England to send extra attention Chase's way. If Higgins doesn't play, Gonzo could draw Chase or the Pats might just play sides with safety help on Chase wherever he is in the formation.
The Patriots are currently 8.5-point underdogs in Sunday's regular-season opener. Although there are legitimate concerns about the Patriots offense, particularly the offensive line, they'll potentially face a short-handed Bengals team that has some uncertainty of its own with their two-headed monster at wide receiver. To pull off the upset, the Pats will need to set up explosive play-action passes through the running game while limiting big plays by Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who will still be dangerous regardless of the available weapons in his arsenal.
New England will travel to Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon, where we'll learn about practice squad elevations and players who did not travel with the team for Sunday's Week 1 matchup.
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