The New England Patriots will start the season without a recent addition tasked with rejuvenating the offense.
On Monday, the Patriots placed veteran offensive tackle Riley Reiff on the injured reserve. He’ll miss at least the first four games after injuring his right leg in their preseason finale.
New England added tight end Pharaoh Brown to replace Reiff on the 53-man roster.
Patriots sign TE Pharaoh Brown to the 53-man roster; Place OL Riley Reiff on IR; Sign DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to the practice squad: https://t.co/MGnQD0tduA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 4, 2023
New England signed Reiff after starting 10 of 16 games with the Chicago Bears in 2022. He previously spent a year with the Cincinnati Bengals after five seasons with the Detroit Lions and four on the Minnesota Vikings.
The 34-year-old was poised to start at right tackle for a beleaguered Patriots offensive line that already spent most of training camp without starting guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu. Calvin Anderson, activated from the non-football illness list last week, is among the options to replace Reiff.
New England ranked 26th in total offense last season and relinquished 41 sacks. A banged-up group must protect Mac Jones enough to support a bounce-back campaign from the starting quarterback behind offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
The offensive line will instantly face a massive test when facing a ferocious Philadelphia Eagles pass rush that produced an NFL-leading 70 sacks last season, 15 more than the runner-up Kansas City Chiefs. New England will try to upset the defending NFC champions this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.