Patriots Place Lineman On Exempt/Left Squad List After Getting Benched

Chukwuma Okorafor's tenure with the New England Patriots seems like it could be over after just 12 snaps.

The Patriots announced Saturday ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks that they placed Okorafor on the exempt/left squad list. The Patriots also activated guard Michael Jordan from the practice squad for the game.

Okorafor, 27, got the start at left tackle in New England's season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but after a poor performance in which he allowed three quarterback pressures in six pass-blocking snaps, the Patriots benched him in favor of Vederian Lowe.

The Patriots signed Okorafor to a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason after he was released by the Steelers following six seasons with Pittsburgh. Okorafor played primarily at right tackle in his career, but out of necessity moved to the other side of the line during his brief time with the Patriots.

Okorafor being moved to the exempt/left squad list opens up a spot on New England's 53-man roster. That spot could go to Jordan, who has been elevated from the practice squad two weeks in a row. Jordan can be elevated one more time but then would have to be signed to the Patriots active roster.

The Patriots didn't have a ton of tackle depth even with Okorafor on the roster. But with him not with the team, New England is down to Lowe, Mike Onwenu, rookie Caedan Wallace and Demontrey Jacobs at the position. They also have tackles Zach Thomas and Caleb Jones on the practice squad.

This is the second consecutive season in which the Patriots have placed a player on the exempt/left team list. They did so last year with quarterback Matt Corral.