Mike Vrabel gave no timelines on Monday for the four New England Patriots who left Sunday’s 26-19 win over the Jets, and his first answer about the injured guards was a pair of practice-squad signings: interior linemen Andrew Rupcich and Jacob Rizy, both familiar to the club, are back in the building three days before a Thursday night trip to Chicago.
The coach said the line will “have to stay pretty fluid” this week, and when he was asked how he planned to manage the backups who had to log real snaps on Sunday, he chose to keep that to himself for now. The questions that matter most, whether receiver Romeo Doubs, right tackle Morgan Moses, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and guard Ben Brown can play on four days of rest, remain without an answer from the team.
Guard/center Andrew Rupcich and center Jacob Rizy being added to the practice squad, per Mike Vrabel.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 19, 2026
Where each injury stands
- Romeo Doubs, shoulder: hurt diving to finish a 42-yard scoring catch on a Drake Maye throw late in the first quarter; ruled out early in the third. No diagnosis has been announced.
- Morgan Moses, ankle: downgraded to out in the fourth quarter and seen leaving in a walking boot on his right leg. He had already been playing through a foot problem for about a month.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker, hamstring: left in the second quarter and did not return.
- Ben Brown, knee: hurt early in the fourth quarter after moving in for Vera-Tucker; it is his second knee injury of the season.
- Dre’Mont Jones, knee: stayed down for about a minute late in the game but walked off on his own.
After the game Vrabel had already hinted that a quick turnaround works against the injured group, telling reporters everyone could do the math on a short week. On Monday he put the emphasis on recovery and mental work, because there is little room for physical practice before kickoff.
A line on its 14th combination
New England’s front was thin before Sunday. Guard Mike Onwenu (broken ankle) and Greg Van Roten are on injured reserve, tackle Marcus Bryant is working his way back from IR, and the club has used 14 different line combinations in six games. Veteran Matt Pryor finished at right guard, Walter Rouse at the other guard spot and rookie Caleb Lomu at right tackle, with second-year center Jared Wilson the one constant. Vrabel singled out Rouse, Pryor and Lomu, whom he described as a swing tackle on both sides, and credited the group for running the ball and closing out the win. Pryor, in his ninth season, said afterward he had never seen so many teammates go down in one game.
At receiver, A.J. Brown played 52 snaps in his first game back from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 1, and Vrabel said New England was down to four receivers by the end. Losing Doubs, whose March contract runs four years and $68 million, would put most of the load back on Brown.
What comes next
The 4-2 Patriots, winners of three straight, visit the Bears on Thursday, October 22, at 8:15 p.m. EDT at Soldier Field (Game Center). Vrabel described Chicago as a physical, connected defense and a ball-control offense. The first injury report of the short week will show who practiced; New England’s next game after that is at Miami on Sunday, November 1. Follow every status on the injury report.
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