NFL

Patriots place Mike Onwenu on injured reserve after ankle injury

New England must replace its starting right guard after the Pittsburgh game, with Greg Van Roten having taken over during Sunday's win.

By The Sporting Page Editorial StaffTSP News Brief
Mike Onwenu leaves the Patriots game on an injury cart.
Mike Onwenu leaves the Patriots game on an injury cart, September 20, 2026. · Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran / The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Patriots placed right guard Mike Onwenu on injured reserve on September 22 after he injured his ankle during New England's 20-3 victory over Pittsburgh.

Greg Van Roten replaced Onwenu during the game and is the immediate option on the right side of the interior line. New England visits Jacksonville next, with practice providing time for that combination to work together.

The Patriots also promoted punter Mitch Wishnowsky to the 53-man roster and signed tight end Tanner Conner to the practice squad. Wishnowsky had been elevated from the practice squad for the first two games.

Mike Vrabel said Monday that he did not expect Onwenu to be available in the short term. The team's transaction announcement confirmed the roster move without declaring that Onwenu would miss the rest of the season.

Reporting sources: Patriots official transaction announcement; Pats Pulpit injury and replacement reporting; Patriots film review

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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with Patriots official transaction announcement.

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