Patriots’ LT Nate Solder Tears Bicep, Out for Season
by David Austin Bumpus 10/15/15
The New England Patriots starting left tackle Nate Solder was placed on the injured reserve with a torn biceps on Wednesday, ending his season 12 weeks early.
Solder was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys after the defense sacked quarterback Tom Brady. Solder appeared to have his arm extended in an awkward position after the play, and was immediately taken out of the game.
Solder, since he was drafted in 2011, has played in the second-most snaps for the Patriots with 4,242, sitting only behind Brady’s 4,648. Solder was also a big part of last season’s Super Bowl run, catching a touchdown lined up as an eligible receiver in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Solder was recently signed for an extra two-years and over $20 million, and will most likely return to his starting position at the start of next season.
The injury leaves a hole in the Patriots offense, specifically in the offensive line. With center Bryan Stork already out in the center spot, the last thing the team needed was another player down in an already young front line.
The Patriots do have options with what they can do to replace Solder’s position. Marcus Cannon, a five year veteran, is the Patriots’ next in line to take the spot, as he came in for Solder in the Cowboys game and was praised by coach Bill Belichick for his performance.
Cannon is also versatile, and can play on both sides of the line for more choices on the line. The team could move veteran tackle Sebastian Vollmer from the right to the left side and put Cannon in at right tackle. The team could also consider moving rookie David Andrews, who is currently filling in at center for Stork and performing, to one of the empty slots once Stork returns from his injury in week 8, or vice versa.
The Patriots have used 11 offensive line combinations this year, tied for most in the NFL, and didn’t use the same combination for more than two drives in their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Patriots have a choice to make to replace the big loss of Solder, but the team has been notable in the Bill Belichick-era for finding ways to win no matter the circumstance. With options as to who can fill in the line, the team has multiple opportunities to solve the problem in the next 12 weeks.