The New England Patriots saw three offensive linemen go down with injury against the New York Jets on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that the team had signed to players to improve the depth up front.
Andrew Rupcich and Jacob Rizy, who both spent time with the club in training camp and preseason, will be added to the practice squad on Monday. With only one spot currently open, a follow-up move will become necessary.
“We’ll add Andrew Rupcich and Rizy,” Vrabel explained during a press conference at Gillette Stadium. “Guys that have been here previously to help us here as we move forward. I would say that we have to stay pretty fluid.”
Rupcich, 27, first arrived in New England in September 2025 and spent the rest of the season on the team’s practice squad. He was retained via a futures contract after the Super Bowl and saw action in one preseason game. However, the fifth-year man was later placed on injured reserve with a strained MCL and subsequently released in late August with a settlement.
Rizy, 24, joined the Patriots as a rookie free agent earlier this year after a college career spent at Harvard and Florida State. He played in all three of the team’s preseason contests at the center position, and later added to the practice squad. However, the team let go of him in mid-September.
The Patriots entered the game against the Jets with a starting O-line consisting of tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses as well as interior trio Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson and Ben Brown. Campbell, who had hurt his knee the previous week and was limited in practice coming into the game, as well as Wilson were the only ones out of the group to finish the 26-19 victory.
Moses and Vera-Tucker left in the second half due to respective ankle and hamstring injuries. Brown hurt his knee in the third quarter and was also ultimately ruled out.
The Patriots inserted Caleb Lomu as their replacement right tackle, with Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor replacing the two guards.
“Proud of the way the guys that were in there finished the game,” said Vrabel. “Critical drive, and one that they showed up in good fashion and we were able to run the football, take the time down, take the clock down, and end the drive with some points.”
The Patriots will face the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football this week.
