FOXBORO, MA - JULY 25-SATURDAY: Patriots offensive lineman Jacob Rizy, left, pursues offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, playing the role of a linebacker during training camp at Gillette Stadium Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBORO, MA – JULY 25-SATURDAY: Patriots offensive lineman Jacob Rizy, left, pursues offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, playing the role of a linebacker during training camp at Gillette Stadium Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBORO — Head coach Mike Vrabel announced Monday that the Patriots are adding two offensive linemen to their practice squad this week.
The Patriots are signing offensive linemen Andrew Rupcich and Jake Rizy to the practice squad, per Vrabel. Rupcich and Rizy both spent the summer with the Patriots in training camp.
The additions were precipitated by three Patriots offensive linemen going down with injuries in Sunday’s 26-19 win over the Jets. Offensive tackle Morgan Moses (ankle), left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring) and guard/center Ben Brown (knee) all didn’t finish the Week 6 contest.
The Patriots also have two guards — Mike Onwenu and Greg Van Roten — on injured reserve.
Rupcich, 27, was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 15 and released with an injury settlement on Aug. 20. He spent most of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad. The veteran offensive lineman began his career under Vrabel with the Titans in 2022.
Rizy, 24, signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State in May. He began the season on the Patriots’ practice squad before being released on Sept. 17.
Rupcich and Rizy join fellow offensive linemen Jake Kubas and Xavier Newman-Johnson on the practice squad.
The Patriots have nine offensive linemen on their 53-man roster: Moses, Vera-Tucker, Brown, left tackle Will Campbell, center Jared Wilson, rookie offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, rookie tackle Caleb Lomu, guard/tackle Matt Pryor and guard Walter Rouse.
They can also activate Marcus Bryant off of injured reserve.
When Moses, Vera-Tucker and Brown left Sunday’s win, Lomu, Rouse and Pryor filled in.
This was the second straight game in which Lomu, the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, saw extended time.
“I think he’s gotten better,” Vrabel said of Lomu. “And I think that’s the goal is to continue to invest in the young guys and coach them, and know that that’s going to pay dividends down the road.”
The Patriots were fortunate with their injury luck last season. That has flipped in a significant way this season.
Beyond Bryant, Onwenu and Van Roten, the Patriots also have fullback Reggie Gilliam, wide receiver Mack Hollins, punter Bryce Baringer, tight end Julian Hill, outside linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins, linebacker Khalil Jacobs and safety Dell Pettus on injured reserve.
Starting wide receiver Romeo Doubs also suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s win.