The Patriots left Week 6 with a 26-19 win over the New York Jets and a 4-2 record, but the bigger story may be what’s happening up front. Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes to keep his strong run going, yet the last two weeks have also pushed rookie tackle Caleb Lomu into the spotlight earlier than expected.
Lomu first had to step in last week when Will Campbell went down with an injury, and he was back in action again Sunday after Morgan Moses left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. In both appearances, the first-round pick looked steady, and he handled himself well at both tackle spots.
When New England drafted him, the expectation was that he’d spend most of his rookie year sitting behind Moses. That plan may already be changing.
The Patriots’ offensive line took another beating against the Jets. Both starting guards, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown, also exited with injuries and did not return.
Vera-Tucker was out with a hamstring injury, while Brown left with a knee injury. Campbell was dealing with a right knee MCL sprain from last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, so the group was already shorthanded before the game even got rolling.
Now the timing makes everything more urgent. New England is on a short week and plays again Thursday.
If Moses isn’t ready, Lomu could be in line for his first start of the season. That’s a different job than checking in midgame to steady things, and it comes with a lot more responsibility.
The concern for the Patriots is that Lomu may not be joining a familiar or stable lineup. With injuries affecting four regular starters, the rookie could be asked to work alongside a patchwork group, depending on who’s available. Campbell should be in better shape for Thursday after suiting up Sunday, but the rest of the line remains a question.
Still, Lomu’s early stretch has given New England something it badly needed: a reason to believe he can handle the job sooner rather than later. Even before the injuries piled up, the Patriots were going to need a replacement for Moses at some point. Over these last two games, the 21-year-old has looked like a credible answer at right tackle, while also showing he can line up on the left side too.
The next test comes Thursday, October 22, when the Patriots head on the road to face the Chicago Bears. Chicago has dealt with injuries of its own and got starting quarterback Caleb Williams back in Week 6 after a hamstring injury.
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Patriots Could Get A.J. Brown Back For Jets At Perfect Time
A.J. Browns return could give the Patriots a timely boost heading into their meeting with the Jets, with the veteran receiver expected to be activated from injured reserve after working back into practice. Brown has been out since Week 1 because of a high ankle sprain, and his progress this week has put him on track to rejoin the lineup after a stretch in which New England has had to adjust without one of its more proven playmakers.
Mike Vrabel has not locked anything in just yet, however, making clear Browns availability still hinges on how he comes through Fridays practice. Brown has sounded optimistic about getting back on the field, and for a Patriots team looking for any edge in a division matchup, his presence would come at a welcome moment if he checks the final box. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Have A Week 6 Question Jets Fans Will Notice
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Running back TreVeyon Henderson and offensive tackle Will Campbell both appear on track to suit up, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, which would give the Patriots a boost in both the backfield and up front. Hendersons return is especially notable after his ankle situation left some doubt around his availability, and the way New England manages those returns could shape how it handles a Jets defense eager to test whatever rust remains. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Already Trust One Fill-In Option If Left Tackle Changes
Will Campbells knee injury briefly put the Patriots in a spot theyd rather avoid, but rookie Caleb Lomu gave them at least one encouraging answer. After Campbell exited early and was limited in practice, Lomu stepped in at left tackle and held up well in pass protection, giving New England a usable option if the line has to absorb another adjustment heading into this week.
The larger takeaway is that Patriots fans do not seem to view the position as a panic point, even with the uncertainty around Campbells availability. A recent fan survey found a majority believe Lomu can handle fill-in duty at left tackle, and a sizable chunk are especially confident in him, which says plenty about how quickly he has earned trust in a spot that usually makes supporters nervous. [Read more 🡒]