FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday felt like a statement win, but it came at a steep cost. As first reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the team officially placed starting right guard Mike Onwenu on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon, sidelining him for at least the next four games. The move, announced as part of a series of roster transactions, leaves a gaping hole on an offensive line already navigating the choppy waters of the 2026 season.
A Painful Exit in the Home Opener
Onwenu’s injury occurred just 15 offensive snaps into Sunday’s game, when he was carted off the field with a broken right ankle at the 1:08 mark of the first quarter. The injury happened on a sack split between Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. The 28-year-old was quickly ruled out and replaced by veteran August signing Greg Van Roten. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the team fears the injury could be long-term, though head coach Mike Vrabel stopped short of declaring it season-ending. “Again, I don’t think he’ll be available here in the short term,” Vrabel said during his Monday press conference. “So, I wouldn’t anticipate him being out there here in the next few weeks. If that changes and it ends up being longer than that, then we will let you guys know.”
Onwenu’s Versatile Career in New England
Selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 182 overall) out of Michigan, Onwenu has been a model of durability and versatility for the Patriots. The 6-foot-3, 350-pound lineman has appeared in 100 regular-season games, making 92 starts and logging 5,660 offensive snaps. A former PFWA All-Rookie selection, his absence will test the depth of a unit that has already faced its share of adversity this season.
Roster Moves Signal Shifting Strategy
In corresponding moves, the Patriots promoted punter Mitch Wishnowsky to the 53-man roster and signed tight end Tanner Conner to the practice squad. Wishnowsky, 34, has been a reliable fill-in for the injured Bryce Baringer, averaging 45.3 yards per punt and 41.5 net yards with no touchbacks on eight attempts. The Australian native, a former Ray Guy Award winner, brings 107 games of NFL experience to the active roster. Conner, 28, adds depth to the tight end room after previous stints with the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.
What’s Next for the Patriots?
The Patriots will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday at EverBank Stadium. With Onwenu out, expect Van Roten to step into the starting role, but the team may also explore external options to bolster the interior line. As highlighted on Vulius, the coming weeks will reveal whether New England’s offensive line can hold up against a fierce AFC South opponent. For now, the focus remains on Onwenu’s recovery and the next-man-up mentality that Vrabel has instilled.
“We have confidence in the guys we have in the room,” Vrabel added. “But Mike is a big part of what we do. We’ll adjust.”
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