New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo shared an important injury update on Wednesday, confirming that guard Cole Strange is set to return to practice this week ahead of their Week 12 game against the Miami Dolphins.
“Good news: Cole Strange will be back at practice today,” Mayo said. “It’s exciting, not just for him to return but also when you consider the journey he’s been on to reach this point.
People often overlook how challenging it is to recover from an injury—it’s rarely a straight path. Rehab takes time, and it’s been a tough year for Cole, but we’re thrilled to see him out there.”
While Strange’s return to practice is a positive step, there’s no specific timeline for when he’ll play in games.
The Patriots have activated his 21-day practice window, and Mayo emphasized a cautious approach: “We’ll take it day by day. This is just his first practice, so we’ll see how he progresses.”
The Patriots recently created a spot on their 53-man roster by releasing linebacker Ochaun Mathis, likely to make room for Strange. The guard has been sidelined since a knee injury in December 2023 and spent the first 11 weeks of the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
With Strange returning, the team might explore using him in different roles. While he primarily plays guard, the Patriots have depth at that position but are thin at center following David Andrews’ season-ending injury.
Nick Leverett briefly filled in at center before being released, and Ben Brown was brought in. Now, Strange could step into that role.
“Strange has the versatility to play both guard and center,” Mayo said. “He’s been putting in extra work at center, and David Andrews—despite being on IR—has been a big help in guiding him through the position’s nuances.
Andrews’ leadership continues to benefit the team, especially in helping Strange prepare for this opportunity.”
