2 months ago
The New England Patriots offensive line depth suffered a blow in the first game of the summer. The preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts saw the team's fourth and fifth interior linemen, Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich, both go down with injuries.
In order to not become vulnerable up front, the Patriots explored the free agency market. They ended up bringing in a player with immense experience and the necessary versatility to serve as a super-sub along the interior O-line.
Name: Greg Van Roten
Position: Guard/Center
Jersey number: 70
#Patriots #line #indianapolis #rupcich
In order to not become vulnerable up front, the Patriots explored the free agency market. They ended up bringing in a player with immense experience and the necessary versatility to serve as a super-sub along the interior O-line.
Name: Greg Van Roten
Position: Guard/Center
Jersey number: 70
#Patriots #line #indianapolis #rupcich
2 months ago
New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane is excited to have former teammate and veteran lineman Greg Van Roten in the mix.
Spillane and Van Roten spent time together with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. They became good friends during that run, and now, they'll have an opportunity to team together again in New England.
The Patriots have dealt with notable injuries at the guard position, with Ben Brown being out for multiple weeks and Andrew Rupcich going on season-ending injured reserve. Van Roten has started in 105 NFL games and brings plenty of experience as a depth option for the team.
When speaking with media members, Spillane noted that Van Roten is a hard worker, which is reminiscent of a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Van Roten is a solid signing for additional depth along the offensive line.
#spillane #team #depth #robert
Spillane and Van Roten spent time together with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. They became good friends during that run, and now, they'll have an opportunity to team together again in New England.
The Patriots have dealt with notable injuries at the guard position, with Ben Brown being out for multiple weeks and Andrew Rupcich going on season-ending injured reserve. Van Roten has started in 105 NFL games and brings plenty of experience as a depth option for the team.
When speaking with media members, Spillane noted that Van Roten is a hard worker, which is reminiscent of a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Van Roten is a solid signing for additional depth along the offensive line.
#spillane #team #depth #robert
2 months ago
FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots' offensive line has already taken their lumps.
Last week, the team lost two of their top backups when center/guard Ben Brown suffered a lower-body injury, and Andrew Rupcich suffered a knee injury. Brown will miss the rest of training camp while Rupcich is out for the season.
That has led the Patriots to have a less-than-ideal backup guard/center situation. Their top backup center is undrafted free agent Jacob Rizy. Replacing Rupcich has been 2025 undrafted free agent Mehki Butler.
The Patriots' other top backup guard, James Hudson, has played in the NFL as a tackle but never as a guard. Mike Vrabel has said the Patriots want to cross-train rookie Caleb Lomu at guard, but the coach noted the rookie has had his hands full practicing at left and right tackle.
"What happens is, where do you feel like he can make the most strides, and you don't want to derail the improvement that he's making and some of those things," Vrabel said. "And so I'm probably much like you guys and say, 'Hey, that it's not that big of a deal to go from tackle to guard.'
#backup
Last week, the team lost two of their top backups when center/guard Ben Brown suffered a lower-body injury, and Andrew Rupcich suffered a knee injury. Brown will miss the rest of training camp while Rupcich is out for the season.
That has led the Patriots to have a less-than-ideal backup guard/center situation. Their top backup center is undrafted free agent Jacob Rizy. Replacing Rupcich has been 2025 undrafted free agent Mehki Butler.
The Patriots' other top backup guard, James Hudson, has played in the NFL as a tackle but never as a guard. Mike Vrabel has said the Patriots want to cross-train rookie Caleb Lomu at guard, but the coach noted the rookie has had his hands full practicing at left and right tackle.
"What happens is, where do you feel like he can make the most strides, and you don't want to derail the improvement that he's making and some of those things," Vrabel said. "And so I'm probably much like you guys and say, 'Hey, that it's not that big of a deal to go from tackle to guard.'
#backup
2 months ago
Patriots Sign Two Offensive Linemen In Four-Player Roster Shakeup originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots made four roster moves Saturday as Mike Vrabel's team continued adjusting its depth following its preseason opener. New England signed offensive linemen Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski, adding two versatile interior options to the training camp roster. The Patriots also released long snapper Niko Lalos and placed guard Andrew Rupcich on injured reserve.
The moves come two days after New England opened its preseason schedule against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. With roster decisions approaching, the Patriots are using the remaining weeks of camp to evaluate potential depth pieces throughout the offensive line.
Dalcourt entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. The 25-year-old spent his rookie season on Baltimore's practice squad before being released at the end of training camp in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 309-pound lineman later spent time on the practice squads of the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.
Dalcourt played his college football at Alabama, where he appeared at center and guard. His familiarity with multiple interior positions could help him receive an extended look from New England during the remainder of the preseason.
#Patriots #offensive #preseason
The New England Patriots made four roster moves Saturday as Mike Vrabel's team continued adjusting its depth following its preseason opener. New England signed offensive linemen Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski, adding two versatile interior options to the training camp roster. The Patriots also released long snapper Niko Lalos and placed guard Andrew Rupcich on injured reserve.
The moves come two days after New England opened its preseason schedule against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. With roster decisions approaching, the Patriots are using the remaining weeks of camp to evaluate potential depth pieces throughout the offensive line.
Dalcourt entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. The 25-year-old spent his rookie season on Baltimore's practice squad before being released at the end of training camp in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 309-pound lineman later spent time on the practice squads of the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.
Dalcourt played his college football at Alabama, where he appeared at center and guard. His familiarity with multiple interior positions could help him receive an extended look from New England during the remainder of the preseason.
#Patriots #offensive #preseason
3 months ago
The New England Patriots have taken a hit to their guard depth with Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich going down with injuries in Thursday's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
When speaking with media members on Saturday morning, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said that Brown is expected to miss multiple weeks. It's a tough blow for the interior offensive line considering Brown's ability to swing between both guard positions and center as needed.
As a result, the Patriots signed offensive linemen Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The team is still top-heavy at the guard position with Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard and Mike Onwenu on the right side. However, Vera-Tucker has a long injury history, and although Onwenu has managed to stay healthy throughout his career, there are no guarantees that will remain the case in 2026.
Things could get dicey if injuries hit the starting lineup. The Patriots have seemingly prepared for a potential catastrophe by working rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and veteran James Hudson out at guard in training camp.
#mike #offensive #brown #vera
When speaking with media members on Saturday morning, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said that Brown is expected to miss multiple weeks. It's a tough blow for the interior offensive line considering Brown's ability to swing between both guard positions and center as needed.
As a result, the Patriots signed offensive linemen Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The team is still top-heavy at the guard position with Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard and Mike Onwenu on the right side. However, Vera-Tucker has a long injury history, and although Onwenu has managed to stay healthy throughout his career, there are no guarantees that will remain the case in 2026.
Things could get dicey if injuries hit the starting lineup. The Patriots have seemingly prepared for a potential catastrophe by working rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and veteran James Hudson out at guard in training camp.
#mike #offensive #brown #vera
