Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots

In the physical, high-contact world of the NFL, injuries to offensive or defensive line players can upend a team’s entire game plan—especially for a franchise like the New England Patriots, where line play has long been a cornerstone of their winning identity. When the Patriots lost two key linemen in Week 15—starting right guard Mike Onwenu to a high ankle sprain and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. to a biceps strain—head coach Jerod Mayo and his staff faced an urgent challenge: restructuring their line rotations, adjusting their tactics, and ensuring the team’s performance didn’t collapse without two of its most reliable contributors. Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s a deep dive into how the Patriots, known for their adaptability, turned a potential crisis into an opportunity to showcase their depth and strategic flexibility.

Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots begins with the Patriots’ approach to fixing their offensive line, a unit tasked with protecting rookie quarterback Drake Maye and opening lanes for running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. With Onwenu sidelined (expected to miss 3-4 weeks), offensive line coach Adrian Klemm made a deliberate choice to shift interior linemen rather than rush a practice squad player into a starting role. Second-year guard Cole Strange, who had been splitting time at left guard with veteran James Ferentz, was moved to right guard—his natural position from college—to fill Onwenu’s spot. Ferentz, a 10-year NFL veteran with experience at multiple interior positions, was elevated to full-time left guard. To add depth, the Patriots also promoted practice squad guard Chasen Hines to the active roster, tasking him with backing up both guard spots and center David Andrews. “We didn’t want to ask a young player to learn a new position on the fly,” Klemm explained. “Cole has played right guard before, and James has the smarts to handle left guard full-time. Chasen gives us a safety net—he’s been studying all three interior positions in practice, so he can step in if needed.” Early reps in practice showed promise: Strange held his own against defensive tackle Christian Barmore in one-on-one drills, and Ferentz’s communication with Andrews helped the line avoid costly pre-snap penalties.

A critical component of Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots is the tweaks to the Patriots’ defensive line, which needed to replace Wise’s pass-rushing production (6 sacks, 18 quarterback pressures) and run-stopping ability. Defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington opted for a “by-committee” approach, rather than relying on a single replacement. Veteran defensive end Lawrence Guy, primarily a run-stopping tackle in recent seasons, was shifted to defensive end in base packages—using his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame to clog running lanes and occasionally rush the passer. Rookie defensive end Keion White, a third-round draft pick, was given more snaps in passing situations, leveraging his speed (4.68-second 40-yard dash) to attack opposing tackles. The Patriots also increased their use of “nickel” defensive packages, which replace a defensive lineman with an extra defensive back—allowing linebackers Matthew Judon and Ja’Whaun Bentley to rush the passer from the edge. “Wise is a unique player—he can do both run stop and pass rush—but we have guys who can split those duties,” Covington said. “Lawrence is one of the best run defenders in the league, and Keion has the tools to be a great pass rusher. By playing to their strengths, we can still be effective without Deatrich.” In a practice scrimmage, the adjusted line held its own: Guy stuffed a Stevenson run for a 2-yard loss, and White recorded a sack on Maye by beating Ferentz with a quick speed rush.

Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots is particularly significant for the New England Patriots’ offensive game plan, which had to adapt to protect Maye without Onwenu—a player who allowed just 1 sack all season. To reduce pressure on Strange and the rest of the line, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien made two key changes: increasing the use of play-action passes to keep defensive linemen off balance, and calling more quick, short-yardage passes (slants, outs, and screen passes) to get the ball out of Maye’s hands faster. “When your line is adjusting, you don’t want to ask your quarterback to hold the ball for 3 or 4 seconds,” O’Brien said. “Play-action slows down pass rushers, and quick passes let us get the ball to playmakers like Hunter Henry or Tyquan Thornton before the defense can collapse the pocket.” The Patriots also began using more tight end and running back protections: Henry, a reliable blocker, was asked to stay in and help Strange on the right side, while Elliott occasionally lined up as an extra blocker on running plays. These adjustments weren’t just about survival—they were about efficiency. In a walkthrough, Maye completed 12 of 15 quick passes, and Stevenson rushed for 10 yards on a play where Elliott blocked defensive end Keion White. For the New England Patriots, the goal was clear: turn line adversity into a chance to make the offense more diverse and less predictable.

Another vital angle of Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots is how the Patriots used film study and practice reps to speed up the adjustment process. Mayo and his staff scheduled extra film sessions for the reshuffled line, focusing on opponent tendencies—like how the Buffalo Bills (their Week 16 opponent) typically rush the passer from the right side, or how the Miami Dolphins’ defensive line likes to stunt on running plays. “We can’t afford to have guys guessing on game day,” Mayo said. “Every rep in practice, every minute of film study, is about building muscle memory. We want Cole to know exactly how the Bills’ Greg Rousseau will rush before the snap, and Lawrence to recognize the Dolphins’ stunt packages instantly.” The Patriots also ran “scout team” drills where their practice squad mimicked the Bills’ defensive line, giving the adjusted offensive line a chance to practice against live competition. Hines, the promoted practice squad guard, noted that the extra work made a difference: “I was nervous at first, but after running through the Bills’ plays 20 times in practice, I feel like I know what’s coming. The coaches didn’t just throw me in—they prepared me.” For the New England Patriots, this attention to detail is nothing new; it’s the same approach that helped them win six Super Bowls under Bill Belichick. Even in a crisis, the Patriots prioritize preparation over panic—a mindset that has long set them apart from other NFL teams.

Finally, Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots wraps up with the long-term lessons from the injury crisis, and how it’s strengthening the Patriots’ line depth for the playoffs. While losing Onwenu and Wise was a setback, it also gave younger players like Strange, White, and Hines valuable game reps—experience that could prove crucial if another injury occurs during the postseason. Mayo emphasized that depth isn’t just about having extra bodies; it’s about having players who are ready to contribute when their number is called. “This isn’t just about getting through Week 16,” Mayo said. “It’s about building a line that can handle anything the playoffs throw at us. Cole, Keion, and Chasen aren’t just fill-ins—they’re part of our future.” The Patriots also used the opportunity to evaluate their offseason needs: if Onwenu’s injury lingers, they may target a veteran guard in free agency; if White continues to develop, they could have a long-term replacement for Wise. For the Patriots, injuries are never ideal—but they are a chance to test the team’s resilience and plan for the future. Line Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the New England Patriots ultimately reveals this truth: for the New England Patriots, success isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about how you respond to it. And with their strategic line adjustments, the Patriots have shown they’re more than capable of turning a crisis into a step toward another playoff run.