The New England Patriots are ready to turn the page on their disappointing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. One major issue that kept them from sustaining any drives was their lack of protection, allowing quarterback Drake Maye to be sacked four times.

For a team looking to improve on its four-win campaign from last season, that is not going to cut it, especially against teams it is expected to compete with and even defeat. Some help could be on the way, though, as it was reported by The Draft Network‘s Justin Melo that former Boston College offensive lineman Jack Conley is re-signing with the Patriots’ practice squad, per his agent Matt Leist.

Conley played 76 total snaps in the preseason and did not allow a single sack, exactly the type of performance the Patriots could have used in Week 1.

Jack Conley Was Too Impressive in the Preseason for Patriots to Pass Up

The decision to bring Conley in came at the expense of fellow rookie lineman Mehki Butler, who was released in a corresponding move. The 24-year-old Conley appeared at right guard, left guard, right tackle, and even as an eligible tight end during his time at Boston College. He made 60 appearances in Chestnut Hill, starting all 12 games and earning an All-ACC honorable mention last season.

The Patriots have a fairly inexperienced offensive line already, with No. 4 overall draft pick Will Campbell starting at left tackle and rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson, who played center in college, at left guard. Right tackle Morgan Moses is the veteran at 34 years old, and center Garrett Bradbury, who came over from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, is now in his seventh season. Right guard Mike Onwenu is the only returner from last season.

At 6-foot-7 and 333 pounds, Conley has experience at multiple positions in college and could be someone the Patriots could move around and insert into the lineup at some point. Before getting re-signed to the practice squad, Conley originally made the 53-man roster, only to be released shortly afterward.

If injuries were to add up, the lack of proven depth behind the starters could vault someone like Conley into the lineup and give him a chance to help an offensive line that struggled last week. New England also entered the season with unknowns at wide receiver, including DeMario Douglas, who struggled to get on the same page as Maye in the opener. That, coupled with the inexperience on the offensive line, must be improved going forward, with the potential for both to go hand-in-hand if Maye has more time in the pocket to find his receivers down the field.

New England heads into a Week 2 divisional matchup with the Miami Dolphins, a team that struggled mightily in a 33-8 Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and only recorded one sack the entire game. That could bode well for the Patriots, but if things do not improve or injuries mount on the offensive line, don’t be surprised to see Conley get some playing time and pick up where he left off in the preseason.