The hits just keep coming for the New England Patriots offensive line.
After the unit already lost right guard Mike Onwenu and his replacement, Greg Van Roten, to respective ankle and thigh injuries earlier in the season, it is now also without third-string option Ben Brown. The veteran hurt his knee on Sunday against the New York Jets and was subsequently unable to practice during a short week leading up to Thursday’s game in Chicago.
With Brown out, in-season pickup and nominal fourth-stringer Matt Pryor is now the starter at right guard. At left guard, the team will start a third-stringer, who also joined the club fairly recently, Walter Rouse.
Rouse will take the field to replace Alijah Vera-Tucker, who is now on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring versus the Jets. With the usual backup at that spot, Brown, out as well, it is the late-August trade pickup’s turn.
The starter level is obviously in the spotlight against the Bears, but so are the backups. With Morgan Moses active despite nursing a foot issue, Caleb Lomu projects as a super backup who might play tackle or guard if needed. Rookie Dametrious Crownover is active for only the second time since the season opener to provide tackle depth, with practice squad elevatee Xavier Newman-Johnson an extra interior option.
The Patriots’ full game day roster looks as follows.
Patriots game day roster: Week 7 vs. Bears
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Tommy DeVito (16)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Corey Kiner (9)
Wide receiver (4): A.J. Brown (1), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18 | KR), Efton Chism III (86)
Tight end (4): Hunter Henry (85), Eli Raridon (82), Cameron Latu (36), Tanner Arkin (84)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Caleb Lomu (74), Dametrious Crownover (68)
Interior offensive line (4): Walter Rouse (72 | LG), Jared Wilson (55 | C), Matt Pryor (65 | RG), Xavier Newman-Johnson (64 | practice squad elevation)
Interior defensive line (5): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), DaQuan Jones (99), Leonard Taylor III (93)
Defensive edge (4): Dre’Mont Jones (5), Elijah Ponder (91), Gabe Jacas (50), Benton Whitley (42 | practice squad elevation)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Darius Muasau (54), Namdi Obiazor (48), Erick Hunter (49)
Cornerback (4): Christian Gonzalez (0), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Kindle Vildor (28)
Safety (6): Kevin Byard (31), Craig Woodson (4), Jaylen Reed (23), Brenden Schooler (41), Mike Brown (33), Elliott Davison (27)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (8 | K), Mitch Wishnowsky (19 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
Christian Gonzalez was added to the injury report shortly before inactives came out on Thursday. He has been cleared to play, but his participation level will be worth keeping an eye on. New England’s cornerback group is already under pressure with three players at the position — Carlton Davis III, Channing Canada, Karon Prunty — out with injury.
Also part of the game day roster again is rookie tight end Tanner Arkin, who was a regular among the healthy scratches at times this season. He might see some fullback snaps again versus a Bears run defense that has not had the best season so far.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (6): QB3 Behren Morton (15), RG Ben Brown (77), DT Joshua Farmer (92), CB Carlton Davis III (7), CB Channing Canada (29), CB Karon Prunty (21)
Practice squad (15): RB Lan Larison (34), WR Kyle Dixon (83), WR Cameron Dorner (88), WR Chandler Brayboy (81), WR Ryan Miller (11), TE Tanner Conner (80), OT Lorenz Metz (61 | exempt), OL Jake Kubas (63), OL Jacob Rizy (69), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), DT Eric Gregory (95), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), ED Xavier Holmes (58), LB K.J. Britt (35), CB Al’zillion Hamilton (26)
Injured reserve (13): RB Myles Montgomery (39 | season-ending), FB Reggie Gilliam (44), WR Mack Hollins (13), WR Romeo Doubs (87), TE Julian Hill (80 | season-ending), OT Marcus Bryant (52 | designated for return), G Mike Onwenu (71), G Greg Van Roten (70), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (75), ED Quintayvious Hutchins (45), LB Khalil Jacobs (59), S Dell Pettus (24), P Bryce Baringer (17)
PUP/reserve (1): ED Harold Landry (2)
New England’s injured reserve just keeps on growing. This week alone, wide receiver Romeo Doubs and the aforementioned Alijah Vera-Tucker were added to the list. Marcus Bryant remains on it despite already returning to practice to open his 21-day return window.
The Patriots’ Week 7 game at Chicago’s Soldier Field will be kicked off at 8:15 p.m. ET.