yahoo
The New England Patriots have placed starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker on injured reserve, the team announced Thursday. The veteran offensive lineman will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks as the Patriots continue to grapple with a rash of injuries along their offensive front.
Vera-Tucker sustained a hamstring injury during the team's Week 6 victory over the New York Jets. His absence presents another significant challenge for New England, which is already dealing with a multitude of injuries.
In the same win against the Jets, the Patriots also lost starting right guard Ben Brown to a knee injury. According to Pro Football Focus, Vera-Tucker has allowed one sack, 11 pressures, and three quarterback hits this season.
Last week, Walter Rouse filled in for Vera-Tucker after the injury and is slated to start in Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. With starting right guard Mike Onwenu and backup Greg Van Roten already on injured reserve, New England is now without multiple offensive guards.
The team will need to rely on its remaining depth, including Rouse and Matt Pryor, to fill the vacancies and protect quarterback Drake Maye while attempting to maintain offensive stability.
Key Analysis
The Patriots' offensive line has been decimated by injuries, forcing the team to dig deep into its depth chart. The loss of Vera-Tucker, combined with the absence of Onwenu and Van Roten, puts immense pressure on the remaining healthy linemen to safeguard quarterback Drake Maye. With a tough matchup against the Bears looming, New England's ability to adapt and protect its rookie quarterback will be crucial.
Originally reported by yahoo.