Patriots Elevate Guard Amid Offensive Line Concerns Vs. Bengals

The New England Patriots will be without starting left guard Sidy Sow due to an ankle injury in their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

So in an unsurprising move, the Patriots elevated an offensive lineman from the practice squad Saturday to help fill the void left by Sow’s absence.

The Patriots called up offensive guard Michael Jordan to the active roster and also did the same for defensive tackle Trysten Hill.

Jordan, 26, could see time along with Nick Leverett in Sow’s spot. Jordan, who stands at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, does have a good amount of NFL experience. He started 29 games, including nine with the Bengals in 2019, over his four seasons in the league. Jordan didn’t see any game action last season as he spent the entirety of the campaign on the Green Bay Packers practice squad.

If Jordan does get playing time, he will most likely be flanked by left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and center David Andrews with rookie guard Layden Robinson and tackle Mike Onwenu anchoring the right side of the line.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said he could rotate along the offensive line in the Week 1 matchup with the positional group looking shaky at best in the preseason trying to block for New England’s running backs and starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

It won’t be as easy for Hill to get playing time against the Bengals. He suited up in 32 games over the past five seasons but even with Christian Barmore sidelined due to blood clots, the Patriots likely will rely on Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale and preseason darling Jeremiah Pharms Jr. along the interior of the defensive line.

Kickoff on Sunday from Paycor Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.