Pats Pulpit's Bernd Buchmasser reports that Van Roten sustained a thigh injury against Jacksonville. Walter Rouse replaced him during the game. Buchmasser identifies Rouse and Ben Brown as the realistic candidates for the assignment against Buffalo, while noting that the Patriots have not announced which player will start.
The concern extends beyond finding someone to take the snaps. In Evan Lazar's official film review, Van Roten and Rouse combined to allow six pressures against Jacksonville. Lazar charted two against Van Roten and four against Rouse. Both were also involved in plays where the running game was stopped.
Those observations help explain why the personnel decision matters for Drake Maye and the backs. Lazar's review found that Patriots running backs gained just six yards before contact on 15 carries. New England finished the game with two field goals despite moving inside Jacksonville's 35-yard line six times.
Changing the guard will not by itself explain or fix every stalled possession. The same review identified quarterback turnovers, missed opportunities and penalties near the end zone. But the offense now has to address those problems while choosing another replacement in the middle of the line.
The trip to Buffalo follows on Sunday. Rouse has already taken game snaps in the role; Brown gives the coaches another veteran option. Tuesday's roster move confirms Van Roten is unavailable, while the starting decision and any additional personnel move remain open.
Wilson's release affects practice-squad depth rather than the guard competition. The Patriots signed him in July, and he began the season on the practice squad.
