{"id":17965,"date":"2024-11-20T18:02:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T18:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=17965"},"modified":"2024-11-20T18:02:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T18:02:27","slug":"patriots-designate-cole-strange-for-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=17965","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Designate Cole Strange For Return"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It looks like the Patriots will work Cole Strange<\/a><\/strong> back into action during Drake Maye<\/a><\/strong>\u2018s rookie season. The team\u2019s 2022 first-round pick is set to practice Wednesday, Jerod Mayo<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This will mark the start of Strange\u2019s 21-day activation window from the reserve\/PUP list, which the veteran guard has resided on throughout the season. Strange has been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. This comes after a Mike Reiss ESPN.com offering<\/a> indicated the third-year lineman is indeed in the homestretch of his recovery, pointing to an activation coming soon.<\/p>\n

Playing exclusively at left guard during his first two seasons with the Pats, Strange has not yet justified his higher-than-expected draft slot. The Patriots chose Strange 29th overall and used him as a 17-game starter in 2022, but injury trouble surfaced last year. Strange missed four of New England\u2019s first six games last season and then ended up shut down for their final three due to the severe knee malady<\/a> he sustained.<\/p>\n

Mayo had said Strange could see center work previously<\/a>, and the rookie HC again did not rule this out. The Patriots have been without David Andrews<\/a><\/strong> for most of this season; the Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>-era blocker is down for the rest of the year. Though, Mayo said (via the Boston Sports Journal\u2019s Mike Giardi<\/a>) the team wants to see Strange go through some practices before determining his position.<\/p>\n

Not logging a snap anywhere else up front during his first two seasons, the young left guard returning would certainly boost a Pats line that has experienced staffing issues \u2014 particularly at center and left tackle \u2014 this season. The Patriots have given Michael Jordan<\/a><\/strong> the bulk of the work at LG this season; Pro Football Focus has rated both he and rookie Layden Robinson<\/a><\/strong> among the worst guard regulars this season. The team has also tried Michael Onwenu<\/a><\/strong> at left guard in recent practices, per the Boston Herald\u2019s Doug Kyed<\/a>. Onwenu has moved around the Pats\u2019 O-line during his career but has concentrated on the right side, splitting his time between RG and RT in games this season.<\/p>\n

Strange\u2019s return should help the Pats settle on an Onwenu position, at long last. Although Mayo said third-round rookie Caedan Wallace<\/a><\/strong> was not yet ready to practice, a return before season\u2019s end is expected. Wallace is eligible to come off IR<\/a>, where he has resided since early October due to an ankle injury.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n