Cole

Strange

Strange, one of the last wacky Bill Belichick first-round picks in 2022, looks like he’ll get a four-game audition with the remainder of the Patriots offensive line down the stretch. The guard has missed most of the season after leaving with what was reportedly a torn PCL in Week 15 of the 2023 season. Almost a full calendar year later, he’ll aim to make his return.

Strange suffered a serious knee injury in Week 15 against the Chiefs — reportedly a torn patellar tendon — and is expected be out for a while. It’s a huge blow to a New England offensive line graded by PFF as last year’s fourth worst pass blocking unit and 12th best run blocking unit. PFF graded Strange as the 27th best guard in the NFL last season. Sidy Sow is playing left guard for the Patriots in offseason practices, according to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed.

Strange was overmatched by a rushing lineman early in the second quarter and had his leg folded up under him while falling backward. The replay didn’t look great, and to nobody’s surprise, Strange was carted off the field. Backup Atonio Mafi took over for strange at left guard following the injury.

That’s back-to-back weeks where Brown has been listed as questionable, but the veteran tackle has played in each of the Patriots’ last five games and shouldn’t be at real risk of missing Week 8. Brown, along with starting RT Vederian Lowe (ankle) are both listed as questionable, but Lowe was able to log limited practices each of the last two days. Starting left guard Cole Strange was removed from the injury report.

Also listed questionable for the Patriots are C David Andrews, OL Mike Onwenu, and OT Trent Brown. Injury issues along the offensive line have contributed to a poor run game through six weeks, with running back Rhamondre Stevenson one of the most inefficient backs in the league. The matchup against the Bills tilts expected production towards the ground game but concerns over an eventual game script that could move the Patriots away from the run leaves fantasy managers of Patriots backs potentially looking for other options for Week 7.

Strange was limited in practice through the week last week but was ruled out on Friday. That makes it hard to say whether or not Strange will suit up in Week 5. New England’s offensive has been hammered by injuries this year. They are now trending in the right direction and getting Strange back would be a big win for a team that hasn’t been able to find any production on the ground.

Jones will miss his third straight game, leaving the Patriots secondary a little thin. LG Cole Strange (knee) was also downgraded to out for Week 4. Strange is a starter on the offensive line and the Patriots will need to fill that hole against the Cowboys in Week 4.

Also questionable for the Patriots are left tackle Trent Brown, center David Andrews, right guard Sidy Sow, and right guard Mike Onwenu. The Pats will be lucky to get more than one of these linemen active for Week 2. Though Miami’s pass-rush is far from elite, they could look like world-beaters if they are facing a swathe of backups in the trenches. Fantasy managers looking for a streaming quarterback should pass on Mac Jones this week.

Like all first-rounders, Strange’s deal is guaranteed and includes a fifth-year option. A small-school prospect who turns 24 in July, Strange was a surprise pick in the first round. However, he is a very impressive athlete and is reportedly looking like a “plug-and-play starter” at left guard, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. If he lives up to his draft capital, Strange should make life easier for second-year quarterback Mac Jones.

He was less sanguine on second-round WR Tyquan Thornton, noting that Thornton’s work as a gunner could be “his ticket” to land on the 46-man game-day roster. The Patriots have plenty of depth at wideout after reeling in DeVante Parker this offseason, so it’s not a surprise that Thornton will have to fight to see snaps. Him being a healthy scratch should be in our range of outcomes in 2022.