In a surprise move, the New England Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman and three-time Super Bowl champion Marcus Cannon. The decision to sign Cannon comes on the heels of finalizing their 53-Man roster and practice squad and only days before their first game against the Miami Dolphins.
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New England Patriots Sign Marcus Cannon to Practice Squad
Marcus Cannon Returns
Cannon, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, opted out of the 2020 season. His absence allowed for guards Michael Onwenu and Ted Karras’ playing time to increase and helped cement their spot on the team in 2021. As a result, the Patriots dealt the former TCU Hornfrog back in March of 2021 to the Houston Texans for a fourth and sixth-round pick.
In 2021, the Texans placed Cannon on injured reserve and later released him in the spring of 2022.
What Cannon Brings to the Team
With the ability to play both guard and tackle, Cannon brings depth and versatility to a Patriots offensive line that struggled in the preseason. Though Cannon has only played four games in the last two seasons, his understanding of the Patriots playbook and organization brings depth and experience.
The former Second-Team All-Pro back in 2016 also shores up a Patriots tackle position ripe with injury concerns. Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn both missed extensive time in the past few years. And while adding an injury-prone veteran to the team may seem counterintuitive, the trade-off of experience makes Cannon a low-risk investment for New England.
Should an injury occur at the tackle position, Cannon would likely be a viable option to slot in for the injured Patriot. With uncertainty in Justin Herron and Yodney Cajuste’s ability to contribute NFL-caliber tackle play, Cannon give New England options.
Not the First Familiar Face Returning
In addition to Marcus Cannon, the Patriots brought back Malcolm Butler. And while an IR settlement led to his release, it speaks to the Patriots desire to bring back veteran leadership. Will Cannon find himself somewhere on the depth chart by the end of the season? It seems unlikely, but New England’s decision to bring him back shows a lack of confidence in the durability of their tackles. If Cannon does find himself on the depth chart, his experience with the Patriots and in the NFL should lend itself to good leadership and poise in the locker room.
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