New Chapter: Veteran Player Returns to Patriots, May Switch Positions
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo provided a crucial injury update about one key player on Wednesday.
He told reporters that guard Cole Strange will return to practice this week ahead of the Patriots’ Week 12 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
“One piece of good news, Cole Strange will return to practice today, which is exciting, not only just for him to get back out there, but just understanding the journey that he has taken to even get to this point.,” Mayo said.
“Oftentimes, those things get looked over, but it is a journey. Any time you’re coming back from injury, which I know the feeling, it’s not a straight line to getting back to the way you used to play. It takes time going through rehab and all those things. It’s been a long year for Cole, but again, we’re excited to have him out there.”
But there is no exact timeline for his exact return. The Patriots have only opened his 21-day practice window.
“We’ve just got to take it day by day,” Mayo added. “Like I said, this is his first time out there, just take it one day at a time.”
The team currently has an open spot on the 53-man roster after releasing LB Ochaun Mathis, and it looks like the move was to make room for Strange.
Strange has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in December last season. He has been on the physically unable to perform list throughout the first 11 weeks of the 2024 season.
But with him coming back, the Patriots could look to move him around on the line.
Strange has played primarily at guard, but New England has a lot of depth at that position. Where they are lacking is at center. David Andrews is on injured reserve with a season-ending injury, and his future is unknown.
The team had Nick Leverett who filled in, but he was released when they brought in Ben Brown. And now, the team could give Strange a chance.
“He does have the flexibility to play center and play guard. He’s been getting extra work at center,” Mayo explained. “Dave Andrews has done a good job with him as well. Going back to a guy that – he’s on IR for the year, but just his leadership remains in the building. One of those tasks has been to help Cole understand the center position while he wasn’t able to be on the practice field.”
