What now for the Patriots at RG after Mike Onwenu's injury

The New England Patriots will have to make a change along their offensive line following Mike Onwenu’s ankle injury in Sunday’s 20-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Onwenu, who has been a fixture on the Patriots’ offensive line since being drafted in 2020, was carted off during the victory. Reports indicate that he suffered a broken ankle that could potentially end his season.

Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Monday that Onwenu will not be back anytime soon.

“I don't think he'll be available here in the short term,” Vrabel said. “So, I wouldn't anticipate him being out there here in the next few weeks.”

That leaves New England with a decision to make at right guard, and the Patriots have several internal options they can consider.

Greg Van Roten

Van Roten appears to be the most obvious option after stepping in for Onwenu against Pittsburgh.

The veteran guard struggled at times, allowing four pressures according to Pro Football Focus, including one play where a missed block resulted in Drake Maye taking a big hit.

Still, Vrabel indicated that Van Roten did enough to remain in the conversation.

“I think he had a few plays that he'd like to have back, so would everybody,” Vrabel said. “But I thought he had some positive plays.”

Van Roten also has familiarity with right tackle Morgan Moses from their time together with the New York Jets, which could help if the Patriots decide to keep the offensive line relatively unchanged.

Ben Brown

Ben Brown provides the Patriots with another experienced interior option.

Brown started at center for New England in 2024 after David Andrews suffered a season-ending injury and has remained with the organization since then.

A preseason knee injury limited him this summer, but Brown made his season debut against Pittsburgh and could now become the team's top interior backup.

Moving Brown to guard would give the Patriots another player with starting experience who already knows the offensive system.

Caleb Lomu

The Patriots could also look toward their first-round rookie.

Caleb Lomu has primarily worked at offensive tackle since joining New England, but Vrabel has previously acknowledged that the team views him as someone who could potentially move inside.

“Caleb would be one of the guys that could possibly do that,” Vrabel said.

The problem is that moving Lomu to guard would leave New England with a different situation at swing tackle.

Marcus Bryant is currently on injured reserve and could return after Week 4, potentially giving the Patriots more flexibility if they decide Lomu is their best option at guard.

Xavier Newman-Johnson

The Patriots recently added Xavier Newman-Johnson to their practice squad, giving them another potential option.

Newman-Johnson has starting experience from his time in the NFL and previously played for the Tennessee Titans under Vrabel. He has also spent time with the New York Jets.

He would need to be elevated from the practice squad to play on game day, but his familiarity with Vrabel's system could work in his favor.

Jake Kubas

Jake Kubas is another practice squad option.

The Patriots claimed Kubas after he was released by the Giants at the end of the preseason. He also has experience playing alongside Van Roten from his time in New York.

Kubas started three games as a rookie in 2024, including two at right guard and one at left guard.

Like Newman-Johnson, he would need to be elevated to the active roster to play.

The Patriots Have Options, But Onwenu Is a Tough Loss

New England has several players who could potentially fill the void, but replacing Onwenu will not be easy.

Van Roten is the most natural short-term replacement after already stepping in against Pittsburgh, while Brown provides another experienced interior option. The Patriots could also get creative by moving Lomu inside or elevating one of their practice squad guards.

For now, Van Roten appears to have the inside track.

The bigger question is whether the Patriots believe he can hold the job for an extended period or whether they decide to make a move outside the organization.

With Onwenu potentially gone for the season, New England will have to find a way to keep its offensive line stable as the 2026 season moves forward.