The New England Patriots are facing some concerns on the offensive line as they approach the 2024-25 season, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding starting left tackle Vederian Lowe. Lowe sustained a side injury during a recent practice, which has sidelined him for the past week, including their final preseason game against the Washington Commanders.
Head coach Jerod Mayo addressed Lowe’s condition in a Wednesday press conference, stating that Lowe is dealing with a “little something” and has a somewhat unclear timeline for his return. However, Mayo expressed confidence that there is clarity regarding the offensive line’s composition, especially for Week One of the regular season.
During the game against the Commanders, the Patriots experimented with different offensive line combinations in Lowe’s absence. Chukwuma Okorafor took over most of the first-team reps at left tackle but struggled, accumulating three illegal formation penalties. These mistakes are particularly concerning for a team that needs to avoid costly errors to improve on their previous offensive performance.
While Lowe may not be a standout like Trent Williams, his return could provide the Patriots with a more stable option at left tackle, which is crucial given their offensive line’s current ranking as the 28th best by Pro Football Focus. Lowe’s availability for the Patriots’ season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals remains uncertain, but his potential return could be key to stabilizing their offensive line.
