FOXBORO — The Patriots have found some stability on their offensive line, but there are still questions at center after starter and captain David Andrews went on injured reserve with a season-ending ailment.
One possible option for that position is Cole Strange when the 2022 first-round pick is healthy enough to return off of the PUP list.
“He’s starting to look like an NFL player. He’s getting better. We’ll see what happens as we go forward,” head coach Jerod Mayo said of Strange.
Mayo also said that the team has thought about moving Strange, who’s only played left guard in the NFL, to center.
“100%. Any of those interior spots. He can play guard, he can play center,” Mayo said. “We have to get the best person out there. I think he has the ability and physical tools to be able to do that.”
Mayo acknowledged that Strange has not been working on snapping as he recovers from a knee injury on the PUP list.
Nick Leverett filled in for Andrews in Weeks 4 and 5. He played well in the Patriots’ Week 4 loss to the 49ers after Andrews left the game but struggled Week 5 against the Dolphins, allowing 10 pressures.
That’s led the Patriots to bring in two new centers this week, adding Ben Brown to the 53-man roster from the Raiders’ practice squad and Sincere Haynesworth to the practice squad.
Head coach Jerod Mayo was observing closely during Friday’s practice while Brown was getting work at center. The Patriots also have Bryan Hudson on their practice squad as an option at center. He was a practice squad elevation last week.
