Forgotten Patriots Rookie Suddenly Returning to Practice After Bye Week

The New England Patriots are back at practice this week fresh off the Week 14 bye. The last time we saw the Pats on the field, they suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.

New England will try to get back into the win column this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who are fighting to stay in the NFC West race. For the Patriots to grab the win, they’ll need their offensive line to show up against this Cardinals defense.

Arizona’s defense has racked up 35 sacks through 13 games this season. Therefore, it will be imperative for the Patriots’ o-line to protect rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Before the Pats get ready to make the trip out west, they are getting back a key piece to their offensive line.

According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, rookie tackle Caedan Wallace told him he would be back on the practice field Monday. The rookie offensive lineman has been on injured reserve with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 4.

In his latest notes column on Sunday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss mentioned that Wallace’s return was imminent. Reiss wrote that Pats head coach Jerod Mayo hoped Wallace would return before the end of the season.

Since the rookie lineman has been sidelined, New England has leaned on Vederian Lowe at left tackle, who has struggled mightily. The 25-year-old Lowe had one of the worst offensive grades in the Pats’ Week 13 loss to the Colts (53.6), per Sporting News. 

Despite the low overall grade, Lowe performed well in pass protection with an 80.2 PFF grade. However, that went by the wayside in run blocking with a disappointing 41.6 grade. Wallace should provide the Pats with an upgrade on the offensive line and show that he can be the future left tackle.

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