New England Patriots Roster Update: Torn Biceps Leaves LT Nate Solder in the Dust

By Cheri Cheng - 14 Oct '15 16:10PM
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The New England Patriots will not have a vital part of their offensive line when they take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6.

Left tackle Nate Solder suffered a season-ending injury during the Patriots game against the Dallas Cowboys, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reported. Solder had taken himself off the field in the second quarter after he jumped in the air in an attempt to stop Tyrone Crawford from rushing past him.

Solder reportedly tore his right biceps and will need to undergo surgery. This is Solder's first major injury since the Patriots selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft


Losing Solder so early in the season could hurt the undefeated Patriots since the 27-year-old is arguably their best lineman. Veteran Marcus Cannon is expected to take Solder's place.

"Marcus has always played well for us," coach Bill Belichick said. "Two years ago when he was in for (right tackle Sebastian) Vollmer, last year the opportunities that he had early in the year, particularly at tackle, and then this year he's played in every game, played a number of snaps in all of our games, so he's always done a good job for us when he's been in there. I'm glad we have him."

Despite the loss, the Patriots are expected to come up with a quick fix.

Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com explained how losing Solder should not hurt the Patriots too much:

"In any event, the Patriots are probably more well-equipped to weather the loss of a blind side tackle than any other team in the league, simply because their entire passing game is based on Tom Brady getting the ball out remarkably quick. Brady's delivering the ball in an average of 2.06 seconds, per Pro Football Focus' tracking, faster than anybody in the league. He's also been pressured on only 26.7 percent of his drop backs, the NFL's fourth-lowest figure."

The Patriots will play the Colts Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. on NBC.

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