Dan

Koppen

Koppen, coming off shoulder surgery, began camp on PUP but will likely be ready for Week 1. Richard Seymour also played his first game.

The injury was initially described as a “small crack, bad sprain” in the ankle, but regardless Koppen will need an operation knocking him out “indefinitely,” per Schefter. An injured reserve transaction doesn’t appear to be imminent. It could be a possibility if Koppen doesn’t show progress in 4-6 weeks.

Koppen has a chance to return at mid-season, so injured reserve isn’t an option at this point. NFL Network’s Albert Breer calls the injury a “small crack, bad sprain in the ankle,” with minor surgery likely. Koppen was a top run blocker in 2010, but the downgrade to Dan Connolly isn’t as severe in pass protection.

Koppen’s New England future was in question after he visited Tennessee while the Pats re-signed Dan Connolly. Koppen is entering his age-33 season after missing 15 games with a broken ankle in 2011. He’s the clear favorite to start at center, leaving Connolly free to fill in at both guard spots. The Titans are still in the market for a center upgrade after whiffing on four veterans.

“It’s been good for a long time,” Koppen said. “No worries there.” As long as that’s true, Koppen should enter camp the heavy favorite to take back the starting job he’s held since 2003 from Dan Connolly. Koppen also said he’s hopeful of finishing his career in New England, but that he doesn’t necessarily believe the two-year deal he signed Friday will be his final contract.

Alas, the Pats have since re-signed C Dan Connolly to a three-year deal, and aren’t known to have reached out to Koppen since the beginning of free agency. He’ll make his first known visit when he heads to Tennessee later this week.

Per the Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt, Koppen’s visit could occur “as early as Wednesday.” Koppen is a 32-year-old center-only coming off a severe ankle injury. The Patriots won’t be re-signing Koppen after locking up Dan Connolly.

This comes despite New England re-signing Dan Koppen to a two-year deal on Friday. The 32-year old Koppen was widely expected to step back into the starting job after missing all but one game in 2011 due to a broken ankle. The Globe, however, notes a slip in play after a poor training camp back in 2010. Koppen is ticketed for the No. 2 job.

For a nearly 33-year-old center coming off a lost season, it’s a much more realistic figure than the originally reported $6 million. Koppen can earn $2.7 million based on play-time incentives, but $400K of the deal consists of per-game roster bonuses and ultimately the contract hinges on Koppen making starts. He’ll have to beat out Dan Connolly for the starting job in camp.

Light is contemplating retirement, while Koppen will likely be allowed to walk after breaking his ankle in Week 1 last season. The Patriots’ “hope” is to re-sign fellow free agent C Dan Connolly. According to the Globe, the “big question” is if Light will be willing to come back “as a backup at less money.” The Patriots want to start Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer at tackle.