Cole Strange Returning to Patriots Practice

Cole Strange was playing the best football of his young career when his 2023 season ended in Week 15. On Wednesday, head coach Jerod Mayo told the media that the offensive lineman would be practicing with the team for the first time in 2024. Strange began the season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) as he continued to rehab his knee.

Strange returning to practice starts the 21-day clock on the Patriots’ window to activate him. He can be added to the 53-man roster at any point in that span. If New England doesn’t activate Strange in the next 21 days, they will not be able to activate him this season.

Although Cole Strange has played left guard exclusively throughout his NFL career, there has been talk of the Patriots playing him at center when he returns. New England needs help at both spots. Center Ben Brown and left guard Michael Jordan have both failed to solidify starting jobs moving forward.

Also Read – Identifying the New England Patriots Core Players Moving Forward

New England’s Offensive Line

The Patriots offensive line has faced many issues this season, including Cole Strange’s absence. Reserve interior lineman Jake Andrews landed on season-ending IR before the season. Tackle Chukwuma Okorafor chose to leave the team after one game. Guard Sidy Sow started the season injured and has not shown the same promise he did as a rookie last year.

Starting center David Andrews suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4. Nick Leverett replaced Andrews at center but was cut after struggling mightily in his lone start. Rookie tackle Caedan Wallace has been on injured reserve since Oct. 4. Other linemen have dealt with injuries, position changes, and poor performances.

New England selected Cole Strange in the first round (No. 29 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started all 17 games as a rookie but struggled. He allowed 23 pressures and five sacks. Strange got called for six penalties.

.@NCAA_FCS to first-round pick.@ColeStrange2’s #PatsDraft journey from @GoMocs to the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/rWXiGbCyHg

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 26, 2023

A knee injury kept Strange out for four of the first six games of the 2023 season. He returned for Week 7 and played eight games for New England before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 15. The injury, a torn patellar tendon, prevented him from playing since.

Cole Strange returning to practice is a great sign for the New England Patriots. He will not solve all of their offensive line issues and might not be back until Week 15, if at all in 2024. But the opportunity to get back the former first-round pick and allow him to work with offensive line coach Scott Peters is huge. It allows the Patriots to see what he can do, either at guard or center. Strange could provide a boost to an offensive line desperately needing one, both for the remainder of this season and into next year.