In Sunday’s clash with the Kansas City Chiefs, the New England Patriots feared the worst when Cole Strange, their starting left guard, went down with a knee injury in the second quarter. The concern could be seen from players on both sides as he was carted off the field. Today, those fears were confirmed: Strange has been placed on the injury reserve list, ending his season.
The Patriots placed Cole Strange (knee) on injured reserve. His season is over.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) December 18, 2023
A Season of Improvement Cut Short for Cole Strange
This isn’t the first time the team will have to adjust to Strange not being in the lineup. He missed week one due to a knee injury that had kept him sidelined for most of training camp. After two short weeks, he aggravated that same knee and it caused him to miss weeks four, five, and six.
In the 10 games he played in, Strange allowed only three sacks, three quarterback hits, and 22 total pressures. His contribution to the team’s effective running game over the past few games has been instrumental. Bill Belichick made note of just how effective Strange has been lately when asked how much improvement he’s seen this season:
“Yeah, a lot. The more he’s been able to stay on the field, the better he’s gotten. I think he’s played better through the more recent weeks of the season.” Belichick went on to add, “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.”
Strange’s absence leaves a void in the Patriots’ lineup. The team will likely turn to Atonio Mafi, the team’s fifth-round draft pick. Mafi’s familiar with this role due to Strange’s previous absences. The 23-year-old guard has shown promise in short spurts this season, with 357 offensive snaps and four starts.
The rookie has had his fair share of struggles this season. After his four starts, he was the worst-graded offensive player for the Patriots, per PFF. However, he’s still a rookie and – much like Strange – he’s been improving the more he sees the field. He’s poised for an exciting end to the season, with three potential starts offering a golden chance to build on that momentum.
Navigating Adversity: The Patriots Path Forward Without Cole Strange
With the addition of Strange to the injury reserve, there are now four Patriots offensive linemen on that list. Even with all that being said, the Patriots are the tenth-best team in yards-per-carry over the last ten weeks. They’ve also been doing it without their feature running back in Rhamondre Stevenson for the past two games. With a makeshift offensive line, and Ezekiel Elliott taking nearly every snap at running back the team is still finding a way to produce on the ground.
The loss of Cole Strange is a tough blow for the Patriots, especially given his solid performance in the season so far. However, the team’s depth and resilience have already been tested and proven. Atonio Mafi stepping into the left guard position isn’t uncharted territory for the Patriots. They’ve navigated similar challenges with a degree of success this season.
It’ll be interesting to see how the team handles the last few games of the year under these circumstances. With injuries piling up and conversations about changes in management getting louder, it could get ugly. Ultimately, the Patriots’ response to these challenges will not only define their season’s end but also set the tone for the direction of their future.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Reblias] – USA Today Sports
