With the NFL's roster cutdown deadline looming, the New England Patriots have already started making moves.
New England will open up a roster spot without waiving or releasing a player, as they plan to keep offensive lineman Cole Strange on the PUP list to start the season, according to MassLive's Mark Daniels. This means Strange will miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season.
Strange, 26, suffered a torn patellar tendon in December which cost him the end of last season. Through his first two seasons, the 2022 first-round pick has appeared and started in 27 games for the Patriots.
This news isn't a surprise to New England, as Strange hasn't practiced with the team or participated in any preseason games. They even planned for this scenario, using their fourth-round pick on Layden Robinson and signing veteran guard Nick Leverett, who could fill in if needed.
Throughout the preseason, New England had been playing Sidy Sow at left guard and Michael Onwenu at right. However, with injuries to Sow and left tackle Vederian Lowe in recent weeks, it's unknown exactly which grouping will take the field for the Patriots in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Head coach Jerod Mayo also hinted on Monday that Strange could be the team's backup center when he returns, as New England lost Jake Andrews for the season already and Strange snapped a bit during his time at Tennessee-Chattanooga.
For now, they'll have to figure out how to get by without him.
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