Health Is New England Patriots’ Biggest Obstacle Ahead of Regular Season

August 14, 2015   ·   Erik Frenz   ·   Jump to comments

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was pounded like Ralphie beating up a bully in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Now would be an easy time to grab at the low-hanging fruit and start panicking about the Patriots offensive line.
To do so, however, would be to ignore the context of injuries to four starters. Center Bryan Stork, left tackle Nate Solder, guard Ryan Wendell and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer did not suit up for Thursday night's game. Those four spots were manned by rookies and backups, who performed like rookies and backups in yielding seven sacks on Garoppolo and opening holes for just 86 yards rushing, with 55 of those yards coming on one play.
This quagmire of injuries is not limited only to the offensive line.
The Patriots have injury concerns everywhere you look, from running back to linebacker and wide receiver. Running backs LeGarrette Blount and Travaris Cadet we...

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