Cole Strange is on track to play his first snaps in 52 weeks.
The New England Patriots have activated the starting interior lineman off the physically unable to perform list, as reported Tuesday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Strange, 26, saw his 2023 season end on injured reserve last December after sustaining a torn patellar tendon against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was placed on PUP list to begin training camp and remained there as the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline passed in August.
His 21-day practice window opened in November. It was scheduled to close on Wednesday.
“Man, it’s been a lot longer than I wanted it to be. Honestly, it’s been really tough and very aggravating,” Strange told reporters last month of his rehab process. “It’s been a good perspective. Obviously I would never have wanted this to happen, but the silver lining is I think it gave me a very good perspective and more so appreciative of where I am. I feel very good going forward. Everything I had to relearn to do — walk even. Squatting, running, jumping. It felt very awkward at first. I just kept hammering away at it and I feel good. I’m confident the same thing will happen with ball.”
And as a center, the former left guard now returns to New England’s active roster as the corresponding move following veteran wide receiver K.J. Osborn’s placement on waivers.
Selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft at No. 29 overall, Strange has started all 27 of his appearances since arriving in Foxborough. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Chattanooga product stands 1,549 offensive snaps into his career.
Strange had been listed as a limited participant since making his way back to the practice fields. Prior to the bye week, he carried a questionable game status ahead of the Miami Dolphins matchup and was ruled out ahead of the Indianapolis Colts matchup.
The Arizona Cardinals host Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at State Farm Stadium.