LT Isaiah Wynn placed on injured reserve; can return against Eagles

Left tackle Isaiah Wynn has been placed on injured reserve with a toe injury; the soonest the former first-round pick can return to action is Week 11.

Injuries continue to mount along the offensive line for the New England Patriots. Just one week after watching right tackle Marcus Cannon exit the game against the Steelers with a shoulder injury, left tackle Isaiah Wynn left Sunday’s game against the Dolphins in the second quarter with a foot injury and did not return.

While the exact nature and severity of the injury is still unknown, Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells is now reporting that Wynn is headed to injured reserve because of the ailment. As such, the soonest Wynn could return to practice is the beginning of November right before the Pats’ Week 9 date with the Baltimore Ravens. Wynn is ineligible to play in game action, though, until New England’s Week 11 tilt with the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s a crushing blow for Wynn, if not altogether for the Patriots as a team.

Make no mistake – New England will miss Wynn. He has graded out as the team’s top offensive lineman through two weeks of play, per ProFootballFocus, and obviously he occupies one of the most important roles in football by protecting Tom Brady’s blindside. His loss will present an incredible challenge for head coach Bill Belichick and OL coach Dante Scarnecchia – who reportedly have already signed another free agent lineman to the team in Caleb Benenoch.

For Wynn though, this was supposed to be the year he proved to the world why the Patriots made him their top draft pick in 2018. Remember: Wynn was set to take over for Nate Solder when Solder signed with the New York Giants in free agency, then he tore his Achilles in the preseason last year, which opened up the door for Trent Brown.

With Solder still in the Big Apple and Brown now playing for the Raiders, Wynn finally looked ready for the big-time in 2019. The team slowly worked him back into the starting rotation during the offseason, easing him in through drills and practices until he was fully-cleared for action in time for the regular season.

The Patriots have been hit hard this year along their offensive line. Aside from Cannon and Wynn, they also lost starting center David Andrews for the year because of a blood clot found in his lungs.

New England will maintain a solid 1-2-3 formation in the middle of their offensive line with Joe Thuney at left guard, veteran Ted Karras at center, and Shaq Mason at right guard. The two tackle spots figure to see some tinkering this week at practice, with the most likely replacements probably Benenoch at right tackle and Marshall Newhouse at left tackle.

Korey Cunningham, Jermaine Eluemunor, and James Ferentz represent the only other linemen on the current active roster. Dan Skipper and Najee Toran are candidates that could be elevated from the practice squad should the Patriots decide to do so, as well.