FOXBORO — The Patriots have seen key players return on both sides of the line of scrimmage over the last two weeks.
Last week, it was defensive tackle Christian Barmore who played over 20 snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Rams despite practicing just one time after being diagnosed with blood clots in July.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange returned to practice Wednesday and was back out on the field for Thursday’s session for the first time since tearing his patellar tendon in December. The Patriots are still trying to figure out where to deploy the 2022 first-round pick, who’s spent his entire NFL career at left guard but might be asked to convert to center. Strange will have to be activated off of the PUP list in order to play in a game.
“Really just see where he plugs into those inside three spots, where he’s most comfortable,” Van Pelt said of Strange playing left guard, center and right guard. “Obviously, played a lot of guard. I believe they had maybe circled him as a potential center when they brought him in. I see center qualities in him, body type. We’ll just see where he’s at. Glad to have him back out there. I know he’s worked hard to get back. The next few weeks will determine where he goes.”
Strange was spotted taking third-team reps at center behind Ben Brown and Lecitus Smith in practice Thursday.
The 26-year-old said it felt pretty good to be back at practice, and though it felt awkward for him at times, when reviewing the film, he was happy with how he looked moving around.
“It’s been a lot longer than I wanted it to be,” Strange said of his return after injuring his knee last December. “No, honestly, it’s been really tough and very aggravating, but I don’t know. I think it’s been a good perspective. Obviously, I would never want this to happen. But the silver lining is it gave me a very good perspective and appreciative of where I am.”
Strange said he learned that he needs football more than he thought he did.
“I’ve always loved it, but not having it, I just did not like that at all,” Strange said.
“I feel very good going forward. Everything that I had to relearn to do, walk, even, squatting and jumping, running, they felt very awkward at first, but, you know, I just kept hammering away at it, and I feel good.”
Strange had to use crutches to move around while his right leg was “180 degrees” in a cast.
“It was crazy,” Strange said of re-learning how to walk without crutches. “I felt like a baby deer. It was awkward as hell. The only thing that goes on with it is just doing it. Walking with crutches and then walking without them. Forcing yourself not to limp — not to go onto the right leg. It’s not the same, but it’s kind of the same with football. It’s just doing it.”
Strange said he felt like he was playing the best football of his career late last season before the injury. The Patriots offensive line has struggled this season and could use a boost from the athletic Chattanooga product at center or guard. We’ll see when the Patriots thrust him onto the field, but from Van Pelt’s comments, it sounds like they’re taking it slow with him.
Strange was officially designated as “limited” in his first practice session of the season on Wednesday.