Patriots Name Two Offensive Line Replacements for Thursday Night Game vs. Bears image
David Butler II-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots will be without both starting guards for Thursday night's matchup against the Chicago Bears, forcing head coach Mike Vrabel to turn to two replacements along the offensive line.
Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown, who were both injured in the game against the Jets on Sunday, have been ruled out for Week 7.
Starting left guard Vera-Tucker left Sunday's game after suffering a hamstring injury in the second quarter. Brown, who started at right guard, left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse will start at guard against Chicago, Vrabel told reporters Wednesday, per Doug Kyed.
Pryor and Rouse stepped in during New England's win over the New York Jets last week, helping the Patriots close out the victory with a late scoring drive. Now, they'll face a tougher test against a Bears defense that has generated consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
New England enters the matchup at 4-2 following its win over the Jets, while Chicago also holds a 4-2 record after defeating the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots will need their makeshift offensive line to hold up against the Bears' pass rush as they look to extend their winning streak on a short week.
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