Patriots’ Mike Onwenu Hits Injured Reserve Amid Recovery Timeline

WHO:

Heavy NFL - Mike Vrabel named Greg Van Roten, Walter Rouse, and Ben Brown as contenders to replace Mike Onwenu at right guard.

patriots.com - Mitch Wishnowsky is a 34-year-old punter who has played in 107 regular season games.

patriots.com - Tanner Conner is a 28-year-old tight end who has accumulated 12 receptions for 107 yards in 33 games.

patriots.com - The New England Patriots signed P Mitch Wishnowsky to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.

patriots.com - The New England Patriots signed TE Tanner Conner to the practice squad.

Boston.com - Mike Onwenu, offensive lineman for the New England Patriots

Heavy NFL - Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots

WHAT:

Heavy NFL - Fourteen Patriots players have been placed on injured reserve at some point during the 2026 league year, as noted by ESPN's Mike Reiss.

patriots.com - Wishnowsky has a career average of 45.6 yards per punt with 160 punts inside the 20-yard line.

patriots.com - Conner was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2022.

Heavy NFL - Fourteen Patriots players have been placed on injured reserve at some point during the 2026 league year.

patriots.com - Wishnowsky has played in 107 regular season games and has 356 punts for 16,227 yards for a 45.6-yard average with 160 punts inside the 20-yard line.

patriots.com - Conner has accumulated 12 receptions for 107 yards in 33 games with one start.

Boston.com - Mike Onwenu has been placed on injured reserve.

Boston.com - Onwenu will miss at least four games due to an ankle injury.

Heavy NFL - Onwenu left the Week 2 game due to his injury.

WHERE:

Boston.com - New England Patriots, NFL team

WHEN:

Boston.com - Onwenu will miss at least four games (exact future date not specified).

WHY:

Heavy NFL - The injury to Onwenu could derail the improvement seen in the Patriots' offensive line.

HOW:

Heavy NFL - Mike Vrabel stated that the Patriots are not automatically handing the right guard position to one veteran following Onwenu's injury.

patriots.com - Wishnowsky was signed by New England to the practice squad on August 31, 2026, and was elevated to the active roster for the first two games of the season.

patriots.com - Wishnowsky was elevated to the active roster for the first two games of the season.

Boston.com - Onwenu has been placed on injured reserve as a result of his ankle injury.

In a significant update for the New England Patriots, coach Mike Vrabel has identified Greg Van Roten, Walter Rouse, and Ben Brown as potential replacements for Mike Onwenu at right guard. This comes as the team has faced challenges, with fourteen players having been placed on injured reserve at some point during the 2026 league year, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Vrabel emphasized that the Patriots will not simply give the right guard position to a veteran player following Onwenu's injury.