On Monday, the Patriots signed center/guard Andrew Rupcich to the practice squad to bolster interior line depth after multiple O-line injuries during the Jets game. With a short week ahead and a Thursday night matchup against the Chicago Bears, New England faces the challenge of fielding a functional line with limited healthy bodies. Vrabel emphasized that Rupcich, along with interior lineman Jacob Rizy, who have spent time with the team in the past, would help as the group pieces itself back together. Both players had previously worked with the Patriots in the summer, contributing to the backup units.
Rupcich, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 325 pounds, played at Culver-Stockton College, an NAIA program, where he earned multiple All-American honors. He initially joined the NFL with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022, spending his first year on the practice squad. He then appeared in five games for the Titans in 2023, starting twice at right guard. In 2024, Rupcich played in seven games as a reserve before finishing the season on injured reserve. He joined the Patriots after a stint with Tennessee ended in September 2025.
The injury situation along the line has been severe. Key players, including Morgan Moses (right tackle), Alijah Vera-Tucker (left guard), and Ben Brown (right guard), left Sunday’s game with injuries. Additional concerns include guards Mike Onwenu and Greg Van Roten being on injured reserve, with Marcus Bryant working back from an IR stint. The line has rotated through numerous combinations, leaving the team with limited, available options. In this context, Rupcich and Rizy bring valuable depth, allowing the Patriots to adapt without sacrificing overall line integrity.
Jared Wilson, who returned to his natural center position after being moved there in the offseason, has been part of the line rotations as injuries mounted. The team has relied on multiple interior linemen from the practice squad, including Jake Kubas and Xavier Newman-Johnson, with Rupcich and Rizy slated to help fill gaps. The plan is to coordinate with the current interior group and utilize Rupcich’s versatility at center and guard to cover multiple spots as the team evaluates the best combinations for Week 9.
Injury updates also affected the on-field leadership and communication. The Patriots will need to determine who is available and assemble an 8- to 9-man rotation up front for each snap, with Vrabel indicating that the process will involve shuffling players and making the best use of the personnel currently at hand.
Overall, the Patriots’ win over the Jets kept their momentum intact, but the offensive line situation remains a critical area to monitor as the team prepares for upcoming games. Rupcich’s addition to the practice squad and the continued involvement of Rizy provide options as New England navigates through a crowded and injury-plagued position group.
