The Patriots released starting left guard Michael Jordan on Tuesday.
Head coach Jerod Mayo hinted that lineup changes would be coming this week, and Jordan, who’s started 11 games through 12 weeks including Sunday’s 34-15 loss to the Dolphins, is out.
To take his place on the 53-man roster, the Patriots claimed guard Lester Cotton off waivers from the Dolphins.
Cotton, 28, has appeared in 32 career games with nine starts. He started his career with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2019. He’s been with the Dolphins since 2022.
Jordan ranks 75th out of 82 qualified guards with a 51.5 overall PFF grade this season. He’s allowed three sacks and 23 total pressures. He now must pass through waivers since it’s after the NFL trade deadline.
Cotton has played just 61 snaps this season, earning a 67.0 PFF grade. He started at left guard and right guard last season for the Dolphins.
With Jordan off the roster, the Patriots have five possibilities to start at left guard in Week 13 against the Colts: Sidy Sow, Cole Strange, Tyrese Robinson, rookie Layden Robinson and Cotton.
Layden Robinson, who has been spotted taking reps at left guard in practice, has started six games this season. Strange is still on the PUP list as he returns from a knee injury suffered late last season. Sow filled in for Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle after the latter was benched last week. Tyrese Robinson was signed off the Vikings’ practice squad earlier this month.
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