The New England Patriots took another hit to their offensive line on Thursday, and this one could linger well into the preseason.
Ben Brown, who had been the team’s top backup at center and guard, left New England’s preseason opener against the Colts with a leg injury and did not return in the Patriots’ 13-13 tie with Indianapolis. The injury came on a scramble by quarterback Tommy DeVito, who was tackled and knocked into Brown’s leg. Brown initially tried to get up and walk it off before going down, then needed help getting to the blue medical tent before making his way to the locker room.
Speaking before Saturday’s practice, Mike Vrabel said Brown will be out for a while.
“Ben is going to be a few weeks,” Vrabel said. “Four-to-six, eight, 10, 12.
Even numbers. But it will probably be extensive throughout the rest of the preseason for sure.”
With Brown sidelined, Vrabel said the Patriots would add two offensive linemen, and the team later announced the signings of Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski.
Dalcourt, 24, played at Alabama from 2019 to 2023 and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. Over the last two seasons, he has spent time with the Ravens, Commanders, Panthers, and Browns, though he has not appeared in an NFL regular-season game. He played mostly center in college, but has also taken snaps at guard.
Michalski, 25, also came into the league as an undrafted free agent after playing at Oklahoma State from 2019-24. He spent time on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad last season and, like Dalcourt, played center in college.
Brown’s absence is a meaningful blow for New England’s depth. The 28-year-old has appeared in 27 games for the Patriots since the team signed him off the Raiders’ practice squad in October 2024.
The starting five in front of the Patriots’ offense looks strong on paper: left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses.
Still, the margin behind that group is thin, and New England has reason to be cautious. Vera-Tucker has dealt with injuries over the years, and Wilson is set to move to center full time in 2026 after spending his rookie season at guard.
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