FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s beginning to look like Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer will miss some time with an injury, and if that’s indeed the case, rookie Marcus Cannon is ready to take on an increased role if necessary.
Vollmer was replaced at right tackle by rookie Nate Solder in the second half of Sunday’s victory against the Eagles. The Patriots originally announced it as an ankle injury, but it’s been referred to as a foot ailment on this week’s injury report. Vollmer has also been dealing with a back issue that kept him out of five of the Patriots’ first six games.
Vollmer hasn’t practiced this week, and he missed Wednesday’s walkthrough, which by comparison to other players in recent weeks means he won’t play Sunday. The Boston Globe also reported Vollmer will be out for “a while” with the ankle issue.
While Solder would step into Vollmer’s starting role, Cannon’s playing time should also increase. The Patriots have used a three-tackle rotation this season to utilize extra blockers, and that would make Cannon the next man up if Vollmer can’t play.
“Whatever coach wants me to do, that’s what I’ll do,” Cannon said Thursday. “Right now, I’m just in my book studying, doing whatever I can to understand how the system works.”
Cannon, who survived non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has played late in the fourth quarter in both of New England’s games since being activated from the non-football injury list.
With Vollmer’s injury, there’s a higher probability that Cannon receives more snaps earlier in the game on a rotational basis, and his playing time in recent weeks should have helped him prepare for this type of scenario.
“I’ve still got a long ways to go,” Cannon said. “It’s nice to get into those games and play a little bit, but there’s still a long way I’ve got to go before anything.”
