Jerod Mayo opened his Friday press conference with an announcement that two more Patriots would land on Injured Reserve. Both come from the offensive line, as the battered position group continues to cycle through players and combinations in search of stability.
The impact of David Andrews' trip to IR is hard to understate. The experienced captain is the most established player along the line and, as a center, Andrews plays a major role in setting the protections and making pre-snap calls that are vital to the offense's success. Earlier this week, Mayo expressed optimism that veteran backup Nick Leverett could step up and do the job, but for an offensive line that has started four different combinations through four games and will now roll out a fifth arrangement against the Dolphins, trying to establish any level of consistency has been an early battle of attrition for the 2024 Patriots.
Though just a rookie, Caedan Wallace's trip to IR is still another significant blow to an already thinned tackle group that boasts just two players on the active roster who aren't currently on the injury report. Wallace got his first start at left tackle two weeks ago against the Jets but suffered a knee injury that knocked him back to a third tackle role against the 49ers in Week 4. Even with limited snaps, Wallace's injury problems worsened in San Francisco, sustaining an ankle injury that will now cost him at least four weeks.
Practice squad tackles Caleb Jones and Jalen McKenzie could be in line for a call-up against the Dolphins this weekend as the team's depth continues to stretch, though Mayo thought that Vederian Lowe, who's missed the last two games, could be due to a return to the lineup.
"I would say he's close," said Mayo of Lowe. "He's close. Maybe we should start moving these to after practice so I can give you guys a little more information. He's close, and I don't want to keep saying it, but we'll have to see what he looks like today."
Mayo also clarified that Wallace could still return this season, but for Andrews, it appears his 2024 season has ended.
Last week, Mayo promoted Kyle Dugger to captain after Ja'Whaun Bentley landed on IR from the defense. On Friday, Mayo made a similar announcement, that veteran tight end Hunter Henry will be named captain in replacement of Andrews.
Henry was a 2023 captain and has been among New England's most productive offensive players since his arrival via free agency in 2021. This past offseason, the Patriots locked up Henry for another three seasons with a new contract as the team looks to build around him and despite a bumpy start for the offense, Henry has still posted production. Against the Seahawks, Henry set a personal record with the most productive game of his career with eight catches for 109 yards.
"[Hunter]'s done a tremendous job since he's been here, both on the field and off the field," said Mayo on Friday morning. "The quarterbacks have a lot of trust in him and the players offensively, defensively, and on special teams look up to a guy like that who's played a lot of ball in this league."
Mapu Anxious For Return
Marte Mapu started practicing this week after spending the first four weeks of the season on injured reserve. His potential return could come at the right time as Kyle Dugger missed all three of this week's practices and is unlikely to suit up against the Dolphins.
It was a trying summer for Mapu in his second season. With a full year under his belt he was looking to reassert himself at the safety position but those plans quickly went sideways just two days after training camp opened.
"I've been here around the whole time and I see them every day, so that hasn't changed," said Mapu in the locker room on Friday. "I just can't be at practice or games and stuff like that. That's probably the biggest thing that sucks, is like, not being able to feel like I can be involved or even help on the sidelines during training camp."
Mapu flirted with some linebacker duties during his rookie season and with injuries hitting both that position as well as safety, he could be a valuable piece if he's able to jump back in.
Will Mapu play this Sunday against the Dolphins?
"I hope so," said Mapu. "It is not my decision."
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