The New England Patriots received some reinforcements along the offensive line of late. They activated Cole Strange to the active roster on Tuesday, a day after rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace returned to practice on Monday.<\/p>\n
According to head coach Jerod Mayo, both players could see game action sooner rather than later \u2014 sharing that Strange is hopefully \u201cup for the game this week\u201d while Wallace could be ready \u201cas soon as this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayo has noted both players are young options that the Patriots need to find out what they have in before the season concludes. Getting them on the field, however, could be more complicated.<\/p>\n
Strange has primarily focused on the center position since his return to practice three weeks ago, but Ben Brown\u2019s recent stretch of positive play could give the staff pause of making a swap.<\/p>\n
Strange could then see time at his natural left guard position, but that would come at the expense of rookie Layden Robinson, another young option New England has tried to work get on the field, being removed from the lineup.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Cole, he has the flexibility to play center and guard,\u201d Mayo said. \u201cHe understands both of those positions, and I\u2019m excited to see him. I\u2019m excited to see him out there in full pads today at practice and excited to see him at the game, hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n
New England will also have to factor in the quarterback-center exchange with Drake Maye in the process. Maye has taken snaps from Strange in recent weeks, but has worked well with Brown since his arrival.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s always a huge part of it,\u201d Mayo explained. \u201cLook, you have to get Drake\u2019s opinion on who he feels most comfortable with at that spot. The quarterback-center exchange starts every play, and it\u2019s definitely weighted in that decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Changing centers would be nothing new for Maye, however, who has worked with several options since the summer as the Patriots worked through backup options behind David Andrews in training camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime [you get] a new center, just getting the snap. Jacoby [Brissett] always preaches that you get the snap and good feet first. So, getting the snap is always different getting accustomed to a new center,\u201d Mayo explained on Wednesday. \u201cKind of had a good feel with David [Andrews] throughout camp a little bit cause its the starter and you know he\u2019s going to be in there. When Ben came \u2014 feel good with Ben under there and, knock on wood, I think that\u2019s the biggest thing is just getting accustomed to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cCole\u2019s done a nice job of getting acclimated in practice. Took a few snaps from him the other day, just kind of getting that center-quarterback kind of bond. You need that in any football team. It\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Working in Wallace seems to have a clearer path up front, as the Patriots could swap out Trey Jacobs, who was benched in Week 12 before returning to the lineup in Week 13, at right tackle.<\/p>\n
To start the week, however, the Patriots seemed to opt towards continuity up front with the offensive line that last took the field before the bye. Things could change before Sunday\u2019s game in Arizona, especially following a fully padded practice on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, like I said, this is a big day for a lot of guys who haven\u2019t played a lot this year,\u201d said Mayo, \u201cCaedan being one of them, to go out there in pads and see what it looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cole Strange and Caedan Wallace could both return in Week 15 against the Cardinals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17146,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n