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Marcus Bryant Injury Update: Patriots Offensive Lineman Exits Eagles Game
New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Bryant left Saturday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a left ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The injury adds to the team's growing concerns about offensive line depth, following earlier injuries to Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Bryant was forced to leave Saturday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a left ankle injury during the first quarter. Bryant was ruled out for the remainder of the game, as reported by multiple outlets covering the team.
The injury occurred on a 1-yard run by running back Lan Larison during the Patriots' first offensive drive, with reports varying on whether it was the fourth or fifth play from scrimmage. Bryant required assistance from trainers to leave the field, heading first to the blue medical tent and then to the locker room, according to The Boston Herald and Sports Illustrated.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said after the game that Bryant "just got rolled up on" and expects the injury to be to the lower leg, though he did not yet know the extent. "We will have to just take a look and see where he is at, but I will not know anything right now," Vrabel said, as quoted by Sports Illustrated.
Offensive Line Depth Concerns
Bryant, a 2025 seventh-round pick out of Missouri, was competing with rookie Caleb Lomu for the swing tackle job. According to the Hartford Courant, Bryant had outperformed Lomu in that competition before the injury. The Boston Globe reported that Bryant had put together a strong training camp and had started at right tackle in Saturday's game, with Lomu at left tackle.
The injury is the latest setback for a Patriots offensive line that has already lost two key backups this preseason. Ben Brown was ruled out for the rest of the preseason with a leg injury, and Andrew Rupcich was waived with an injury settlement after suffering a strained MCL, as noted by NBC Sports and other outlets.
Rookie Dametrious Crownover replaced Bryant at right tackle after the injury, according to multiple reports. With Brown and Rupcich already sidelined, the Patriots now have two rookies—Lomu and Crownover—as their top backup tackles, with an assortment of young and inexperienced options on the interior, including Greg Van Roten, Mehki Butler, Darrian Dalcourt, and Jacob Rizy, as detailed by The Boston Globe.
Last Season's Context and Starting Lineup
Bryant appeared in 12 games as a rookie, logging 19 offensive snaps plus special-teams work, according to Heavy. He had been serving as the backup left tackle for most of training camp and was a standout during last week's preseason tie with the Colts, as reported by The Boston Herald.
The Patriots' projected starting offensive line consists of left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses, per Heavy. The offensive line ranked near the bottom of the league in pass-blocking efficiency in 2024 before climbing to roughly sixth in 2025, according to the same outlet, which also noted the team's loss to Seattle in Super Bowl LX.
Other Injury and Game Notes
The game also saw a scary moment on the opening kickoff when Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was loaded onto a backboard and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The Eagles announced that Jackson had strength and movement in all extremities, as reported by The Boston Herald and Sports Illustrated.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and the projected starters sat for a second straight game, leaving the preseason finale as the last chance for them to see live action before Week 1, according to The Boston Globe. Vrabel left the door open for starters to play next Thursday in Cleveland, the Globe reported.
Notably, the Patriots' backup quarterbacks and specialists saw significant action. Behren Morton took over punting duties and averaged 44.3 yards per punt, while also completing 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards and throwing the game-winning touchdown, as detailed by The Boston Globe. Andy Borregales made a 41-yard field goal and all three extra points, and Tommy DeVito connected with Kyle Williams for a touchdown for the second straight preseason game, according to the same outlet.
Perspectives
Mike Vrabel, Patriots Head Coach
Vrabel expressed uncertainty about Bryant's injury immediately after the game, attributing it to being rolled up on during an inside playholly. He indicated the team would need to evaluate further before knowing the severity.
Matt LaFleur, Packers Head Coach (Context on Preseason Play)
The Boston Globe reported that Packers coach Matt LaFleur emphasized the value of preseason reps, saying, "I absolutely think there’s a ton of value in the preseason games and getting those guys out there to kind of work out some of the kinks." He also noted that teams are over three times less likely to suffer injuries in the regular season if players receive a certain number of preseason snaps.
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Head Coach (Context on Preseason Play)
According to The Boston Globe, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer announced in early August that the vast majority of starters would not play a snap during the preseason, highlighting the varying approaches across the league.
How each outlet told it
The Boston Globe
Framing: Headline emphasizes offensive line 'takes another hit', focusing on cumulative depth woes rather than the specific injury. — Concerned/downbeat; quote: 'a tough loss for the already shaky offensive line depth.'
Facts Included:
Marcus Bryant injured on first possession, ruled out for rest of game.
Bryant was 2025 seventh-round pick competing with Caleb Lomu for swing tackle.
Bryant's injury adds to losses of Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich.
Backup tackles now rookies Lomu and Crownover.
Interior backup options include Greg Van Roten, Mehki Butler, Darrian Dalcourt, etc.
Starting lineup on Saturday: Lomu at left tackle, Butler at left guard, Rizy at center, Hudson at right guard, Bryant at right tackle.
Hudson committed two holding penalties on first possession.
Maye and starters sat second straight game; last chance Week 1.
Vrabel left door open for starters to play next Thursday in Cleveland.
Framing: Headline emphasizes 'key reserve' and injury, but doesn't mention depth concerns or other injuries. — Informative, slightly concerned about pattern; quote: 'second straight game the Patriots have lost a key backup offensive lineman.'
Facts Included:
Bryant suffered left ankle injury in first quarter, ruled out for rest of game.
Bryant helped off field slowly by trainers, went to blue medical tent, then locker room.
Injury came on fifth play from scrimmage on 1-yard run by Lan Larison.
Bryant served as backup left tackle for most of training camp.
Bryant was standout during last week's preseason tie with Colts.
Dametrious Crownover replaced Bryant at left tackle.
Second straight game losing key backup O-lineman; Ben Brown injured last week.
Ja'Quinden Jackson was loaded onto backboard and taken to hospital on opening kickoff; Eagles announced strength/movement in all extremities.
Framing: Headline focuses on 'depth concerns' in preseason, broader than just Bryant's injury. — Alarmist/concerned; uses hyperbole ('nightmare season', 'hit the fan').
Facts Included:
Bryant hurt ankle, hobbled to locker room, ruled out.
Patriots have lost more Week 1 starters to serious injury along O-line than all of last year.
Last November: Will Campbell tore MCL, missed four games; Jared Wilson high ankle sprain missed three.
Ben Brown out several weeks.
Andrew Rupcich released with injury settlement.
Bryant had outperformed first-round rookie Caleb Lomu in swing tackle battle.
Lomu gave up sack on stunt in second quarter, played deep into third.
Brown appeared in all 17 regular-season games last year, started four, 331 offensive snaps.
Undrafted rookie Jacob Rizy started at center.
RBs Larison, Haskins, Miller, Hasty took carries, averaged fewer than 4 yards per rush.
Hunter Henry on sideline, Eli Raridon absent, backup TEs Arkin and Westover.
Gabe Jacas started second half, had roughing penalty, pressure when unblocked.
Pats finished with four QB hits excluding Jacas's freebie.
Defensive tackles Farmer and Taylor got steamrolled on Philly TD drive.
Christian Barmore missed time in camp.
Chad Muma plummeting down depth chart due to missed tackles and bad angles.
K.J. Britt and Khalil Jacobs as backup options; Jacobs got banged up but returned.
Vrabel quote from 98.5 The Sports Hub pregame: 'We're going to make sure we get our guys ready...'
Framing: Headline emphasizes injury update but also hints at depth questions via 'Raises Questions' subtext (in actual headline: 'Exit Eagles Game' with subtitle about depth). — Analytical/concerned; quotes from analysts and Vrabel, with emphasis on uncertainty.
Facts Included:
Bryant left game with left ankle injury, did not return.
Injury adds to offensive line already thinned by Ben Brown's absence.
Quotes from Mark Daniels and Charean Williams about Bryant and depth.
Bryant stayed down on turf, Vrabel walked over, eventually got up barely putting weight on left leg.
Bryant walked to medical tent then locker room.
Patriots confirmed out for rest of game, no word on severity (high ankle sprain or more serious) by 7:50 p.m. ET.
Sixth-round rookie Dametrious Crownover replaced Bryant at right tackle.
Projected starting five: left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, right tackle Morgan Moses.
Bryant is 2025 seventh-round pick out of Missouri, developmental swing tackle behind Moses.
Earlier this month, Campbell worked through arm injury and Bryant took first-team reps.
Quote from Bryant: 'Just being able to step up and compete...'
Bryant appeared in 12 games as rookie, logged 19 offensive snaps plus special teams.
Bryant has been fighting Crownover, Lomu, Hudson for roster spot.
Brown ruled out multiple weeks.
Lomu is first-round rookie, taken on larger developmental workload.
New England's line ranked near bottom in pass-blocking efficiency in 2024, climbed to roughly sixth in 2025.
Postseason loss to Seattle in Super Bowl LX, pass rush battered Drake Maye.
Framing: Headline states injury fact straightforwardly, but omits context of depth issues and other injuries. — Neutral/factual; no loaded language beyond 'latest in the offensive line'.
Facts Included:
Bryant injured on fourth official play from scrimmage.
Bryant started at right tackle, remained down after 1-yard run by Lan Larison.
Bryant needed assistance to get off field and to training room.
Bryant favoring left ankle.
Patriots announced out for remainder with ankle injury.
Bryant is 2025 seventh-round pick competing with Lomu for swing tackle job.
Loss of Ben Brown (out for rest of preseason with leg injury) and Andrew Rupcich (waived with injury settlement, strained MCL).
Framing: Headline emphasizes 'What We Know Right Now' indicating rolling coverage, focusing on immediate facts and updates. — Informative/neutral with a sense of immediacy; includes direct quotes for credibility.
Facts Included:
Bryant went down on team's first drive, looked at by medical staff.
Vrabel joined him on field, Bryant helped off by trainers.
Bryant walking gingerly, took a while to get back to sideline.
Dametrious Crownover replaced him.
Bryant headed to blue medical tent.
Patriots announced out for remainder with ankle injury.
Depth chart behind him: Crownover and Lorenz Metz.
Caleb Lomu started at left tackle, unlikely to see Campbell or Moses.
At that point, Patriots had 30 yards of offense, all from Larison (28-yard catch-and-run on screen, then two 1-yard carries).
Tweet from Ethan Hurwitz confirming ruled out.
Vrabel post-game quote: 'I do think he just got rolled up on... lower leg injury...'
Ja'Quinden Jackson injured on opening kickoff, taken to hospital in ambulance.
Bryant drafted seventh round last season, didn't see much time, quickly shot up ranks.
Bryant got reps on both sides, worked with starters when Campbell out.
Quote from Bryant: 'Being able to come in and think like a starter...'
Bryant and Lomu switched sides for this game.
Bryant is third Patriots O-lineman to leave preseason game, joining Brown and Rupcich (both from last week's tie with Colts).
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimMarcus Bryant suffered a left ankle injury during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Eagles and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
ClaimThe Patriots' starting offensive line consists of left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses.
ClaimPackers coach Matt LaFleur said, "I absolutely think there’s a ton of value in the preseason games and getting those guys out there to kind of work out some of the kinks."
ClaimMatt LaFleaur said that teams are over three times less likely to suffer injuries in the regular season if players receive a certain number of preseason snaps.
ClaimPlayers not in uniform during the game included safeties Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson, cornerbacks Channing Canada and Christian Gonzalez, fullback Reggie Gilliam, running back TreVeyon Henderson, edge rusher Harold Landry (PUP), tight end Ben Watson, and Brenden Schooler (non-football injury list).