The New England Patriots will be facing the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday with two key offensive linemen ruled out due to injuries. Left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Michael Jordan will not be playing, with guard Sidy Sow expected to fill in for Jordan. Sow, who was originally set to start at left guard before getting injured in the preseason, has impressed coaches with his progress and is likely to start on Sunday.
In addition to the offensive line injuries, cornerback Alex Austin has also been ruled out while linebacker Anfernee Jennings, cornerback Jonathan Jones, and offensive lineman Caedan Wallace are listed as questionable for the game. Demontrey Jacobs, claimed off waivers from the Broncos, may step in as the left tackle, with other options being Wallace and Caleb Jones.
The 2024 season marks the 10-year anniversary of the 2014 Patriots team that won Super Bowl XLIX. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the only player from that team still on an NFL roster, currently serving as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams. Several key players from that team have retired, including Matthew Slater and Logan Ryan. While Garoppolo was once seen as a potential replacement for Tom Brady in New England, he may now be on the trade market, with the Miami Dolphins rumored to be interested in acquiring him due to quarterback injuries.
As the Patriots prepare to take on the 49ers in a key Week 4 matchup, the team will have to rely on depth and replacements to fill key positions on the offensive line and in the secondary. The game will also serve as a reminder of the talent and success of the 2014 Patriots team, with only a few players still active in the league a decade later.
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