Patriots Place Jermaine Eluemunor On IR… Here’s What That Means For O-Line

The New England Patriots placed Jermaine Eluemunor on injured reserve. This means that the team will play without the starting right tackle for at least three games.

Eluemunor ended on IR after exiting Sunday’s 18-12 loss to the Denver Broncos due to an ankle injury. Veteran quarterback Cam Newton landed on Eluemunor while being sacked by the Broncos.

Eluemunor earned his job in training camp after Marcus Cannon’s decision to opt-out. He played really well in the past few games, and New England will definitely need him on the floor as soon as possible.

The talented player allowed one sack and three pressures in 80 pass-block snaps as reported by Pro Football Focus. Eluemunor is also the sixth-highest-graded run blocker among all tackles per PFF.  He has the sixth-highest overall PFF grade in his group.

Eluemunor started four of the Patriots’ five games of the season. He sat out the team’s Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to a migraine. Sixth-round rookie Justin Herron stepped in his position.

Patriots to find a replacement for Jermaine Eluemunor

Herron or sixth-rounder Mike Onwenu will probably play in Sunday’s game against the Niners. If center David Andrews and right guard Shaq Mason suit up for the game, the Pats will probably go with Onwenu.

New England designated Andrews, rookie linebacker Josh Uche and defensive tackle Beau Allen to come back from injured reserve after all three players took part in Wednesday’s practice. New England has 21 day to add the players to the 53-man roster. If activated, they will be able to join the Patriots against the San Francisco.

The Patriots removed Mason, defensive tackle Byron Cowart and outside linebacker Derek River from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after missing the game against Denver.

New England hasn’t shared too many details of Eluemunor’s injury. If healthy, he will be able to join the Patriots in the Week 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Patriots may lose more players due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team has placed a lot of players on injured reserve in the last few weeks.