Patriots Reportedly Make Long-Term Decision On Starter

Patriots offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor will not return to New England this season.

The Patriots on Thursday moved Okorafor from the exempt/left squad list to the reserve/left squad list, as first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates. The roster designation means Okorafor is not able to return to New England this season.

Okorafor was placed on the exempt/left squad list Saturday ahead of New England’s Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks. An NFL team is granted a five-day window after it moves a player to the left squad list, but if the player does not return within five days, his season is over, per Yates.

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Okorafor started New England’s regular-season opener at left tackle before he was benched 12 plays into the game. Vederian Lowe, who’s now dealing with injury, replaced the struggling Okorafor in the Week 1 win and started New England’s Week 2 game.

The Patriots signed Okorafor to a one-year deal in March. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told reporters in April that Okorafor would serve as the team’s starting left tackle, despite the fact he spent six seasons playing right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The official update on Okorafor, while it felt like it was moving in that direction, further complicates New England’s offensive line. Both left guard Sidy Sow and Lowe are dealing with injuries and have been ruled out against the New York Jets on Thursday night.

The Patriots will start their third left tackle in as many weeks (likely rookie Caedan Wallace) and the depth behind him is a major question mark.