COVID-19 has already affected the New England Patriots in a negative way. According to reports across the league, right tackle Marcus Cannon will sit out the upcoming NFL season. Cannon, a former fifth-round pick by the New England Patriots, has served as the full-time starting right tackle ever since the start of the 2016 NFL season.
New England Patriots Right Tackle Marcus Cannon to Opt Out of 2020 Season
COVID-19 is still very much a concern in America, and Cannon is a high-risk individual. Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, Cannon was diagnosed with cancer. The right tackle eventually beat the disease and has been in remission ever since, but COVID-19 carries a heightened risk for cancer survivors. As of right now, Cannon has made no indication that he is retiring and he should be back for the start of the 2021 season.
With Cannon’s season over, the Patriots will likely turn to 2019 third-round pick Yodny Cajuste. Cajuste, a West Virginia product, spent the entirety of his rookie season recovering from a college injury. Cajuste struggled to stay healthy in college, which caused his stock to plummet in the NFL Draft. However, he has first-round talent when on the field and should be first in line to earn the vacated starting job.
Cannon originally joined the Patriots as a fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. After spending the early portion of his rookie season recovering from chemotherapy, the TCU product made his NFL debut in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs. For the next few seasons, Cannon spent the majority of his time as Sebastian Vollmer‘s primary backup while making the occasional spot start. However, Cannon finally had a chance to be a full-time starter in 2016, and he made the most of his opportunity. Reunited with Dante Scarnecchia, Cannon earned Second-Team All-Pro honors while helping the Patriots win their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history.
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