ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter is reporting that New England Patriots center Dan Koppen will undergo surgery on his broken left ankle and will miss eight to 10 weeks. While that is a rough timetable, the team is giving him an opportunity to return later in the season by not placing him on Injured-Reserve.
Koppen was injured late in the first half of Monday night's game in Miami and was carted off the field. The veteran center had x-rays done and after leaving the exam room, was on crutches with his ankle wrapped.
 Patriots left guard Logan Mankins, and the rest of the Patriots offensive line, will need to step their game up in Dan Koppen's absence. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
"That's tough. He's the best and there's no one like him," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said on Tuesday. "I think he and I have a great chemistry between the two of us. We always have and he's one of my great friends. Hopefully he's back at some point. "
While Koppen is recovering, Dan Connolly figures to be his replacement while he is out. Connolly has been a solid back-up, but placing him in a starting role greatly diminishes the Patriots depth along the offensive line.
The Patriots made multiple roster moves on Tuesday and Wednesday, perhaps in preparation for Koppen's absence.
One day after promoting offensive tackle Thomas Welch from the practice squad to the game-day roster, the Patriots have released him. This transaction creates a spot on the Patriots 53-man roster, which opens the door for Donald Thomas. Thomas, was signed to the team's 53-man roster Wednesday, according to the Patriots. Terms of the contract were not announced.
While I believe Connolly can do a good job starting at center moving forward, only time will tell. Hopefully, he and Brady can get on the same page quickly in order to avoid any mistakes. For that, however, only time will tell.
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