Cole Strange Returns to the Patriots 53-Man Roster

The New England Patriots activated offensive lineman Cole Strange from the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. Strange suffered a season-ending injury during Week 15 of the 2023 season. Strange’s torn patellar tendon kept him sidelined through the end of last season and all of 2024.

New England drafted Strange in the first round (No. 29 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He became an immediate starter at left guard for the Patriots. However, he struggled during his rookie season. He came under scrutiny from fans and media alike, especially since his selection was viewed by many as a “reach” by the Patriots.

Strange’s second season got off to a slow start. He dealt with a knee injury in training camp and missed four of the first six games in 2023. He joined the lineup for good in Week 8 and was playing the best football of his young career when the injury occurred. Bill Belichick, the team’s head coach at the time, echoed these sentiments following Strange’s season-ending injury last year.

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“The more he’s been able to stay on the field, the better he’s gotten,” Belichick said of Strange. “I think he’s played better through the more recent weeks of the season. He missed quite a bit of time there early in the year in training camp, which slowed him down. But I think he’s been playing his best football lately.”

Where Will Cole Strange Play?

The New England Patriots played Cole Strange at left guard exclusively in his first two NFL seasons. However, reports indicated that could change in 2024. Mark Daniels of MassLive reported on Oct. 14 that, “The team told him [Strange] to start preparing to play center earlier this season.”

Ben Brown has started at center for New England since Week 6. Lecitus Smith is the other center on the 53-man roster. Left guard could still be the landing spot for Cole Strange to get into the starting rotation. Michael Jordan started 11 games there for the Patriots this season but was released by the team last week. Rookie Layden Robinson took his place as left guard on the starting unit in New England’s most recent game before the bye week.

New England has guards Lester Cotton, Tyrese Robinson, Sidy Sow, and starting right guard Mike Onwenu on the roster. Even if Onwenu is shifted back to right tackle, there is a surplus of options at guard for head coach Jerod Mayo with Strange back.

To make room on the 53-man roster for Cole Strange, the New England Patriots released K.J. Osborn. The wide receiver signed a one-year deal with the Patriots during free agency this past offseason after playing his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Osborn started the first four games of the season but has been inactive for the past three. Osborn caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in seven games this season.